In Moby-Dick's wide philosophical musings and central narrative arch, Daniel Herman finds a philosophy very closely aligned specifically with the original teachings of Zen Buddhism. In exploring the likelihood of this hitherto undiscovered influence, Herman looks at works Melville is either known to have read or that there is a strong likelihood of his having come across, as well as offering a more expansive consideration of Moby-Dick from a Zen Buddhist perspective, as it is expressed in both ancient and modern teachings. But not only does the book delve deeply into one of the few aspects of...
In Moby-Dick's wide philosophical musings and central narrative arch, Daniel Herman finds a philosophy very closely aligned specifically with the orig...
In this book, Herman argues that Herman Melville may have been aware of Buddhist thought far earlier than previously considered. Scholars have long known of Melville's interest in Buddhism in the final decades of his life (seen in the short poem "Buddha," and perhaps even the surname of his final protagonist, Billy "Budd"). But as early as 1847, Melville had knowledge of "the grand lama of Thibet," mentioning him in that year's Omoo. And the five years directly preceding the composition and publication of Moby-Dick (1844-1849) coincided with the period during which interest in Buddhism turned...
In this book, Herman argues that Herman Melville may have been aware of Buddhist thought far earlier than previously considered. Scholars have long kn...
