Ahab Unbound: Melville and the Materialist Turn

Herman Melville's Captain Ahab is reimagined in Ahab Unbound as a contingent figure transformed by his environment, challenging our thinking about boundaries, persons, and nations and the racist and environmental violence caused by categories like the person and the human.

Format: Hardback
Length: 464 pages
Publication date: 19 April 2022
Publisher: University of Minnesota Press

Captain Ahab, the iconic character from Herman Melville's novel "Moby-Dick," is often portrayed as a controlling and tyrannical figure. However, a new book titled "Ahab Unbound" challenges this perception by exploring the complex and multifaceted nature of Captain Ahab.

In sixteen essays written by leading scholars from various academic disciplines, "Ahab Unbound" delves into Melville's emergence as a central figure in materialist work. The book reframes Captain Ahab not only as a whaling captain but also as a contingent figure shaped by his environment, encompassing chemistry, electromagnetism, entomology, meteorology, diet, illness, pain, trauma, and neurons firing. This unexpected perspective forces readers to see Ahab as worthy of both empathy and compassion.

Through the lens of Ahab, "Ahab Unbound" engages in an urgent inquiry into the ways in which materialism produces criticism in our contemporary moment. The book explores topics such as animal studies, critical race and ethnic studies, disability studies, environmental humanities, medical humanities, political theory, and posthumanism. By taking Ahab as a focal point, the contributors gather and give shape to the multitude of ways that materialism generates criticism, challenging our understanding of the boundaries between individuals and nations, as well as the racist and environmental violence caused by categories like the person and the human.

One of the key arguments made in "Ahab Unbound" is that materialism offers a valuable framework for understanding the complexities of human experience. By focusing on the material conditions that shape individuals and societies, materialism enables us to see beyond simplistic narratives and stereotypes. It encourages us to consider the interconnections between different aspects of our lives, from the biological to the social and cultural, and to recognize the ways in which power, privilege, and discrimination operate at multiple levels.

Another compelling aspect of "Ahab Unbound" is its exploration of the continued resonance of Melville's work. The book demonstrates how Melville's novel remains relevant in the modern world, addressing issues that are still pressing and urgent. For example, the book discusses the role of technology in shaping our understanding of the natural world, the impact of colonialism and imperialism on indigenous cultures, and the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation.

Contributors to "Ahab Unbound" come from prestigious universities such as Columbia, Pennsylvania State, Vanderbilt, Brown, and Georgia State. The essays are insightful, thought-provoking, and engaging, offering fresh perspectives on Captain Ahab and Melville's work. The book is a valuable resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in exploring the complexities of human experience, the power of materialism, and the enduring relevance of classic literature.

In conclusion, "Ahab Unbound" is a groundbreaking book that challenges our perception of Captain Ahab and offers a fresh and compelling perspective on the complex and multifaceted nature of human experience. By exploring the ways in which materialism produces criticism and the continued resonance of Melville's work, the book provides a valuable contribution to the field of literary studies and beyond. Whether you are a scholar, student, or simply someone who enjoys reading and thinking about important issues, this book is a must-read.

Dimension: 229 x 152 x 51 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781517907549