Inscrutable Malice: Theodicy, Eschatology, and the Biblical Sources of "Moby-Dick"

Inscrutable Malice by Jonathan A. Cook explores Melville's use of the Bible in Moby-Dick, highlighting his concerns with evil and the end-times, and providing a new interpretation of the novel's moral, religious, and mythical dimensions.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 358 pages
Publication date: 15 December 2021
Publisher: Cornell University Press

Jonathan A. Cook delves into the profound exploration of Melville's enduring fascination with the concept of evil and the profound influence of the Bible in shaping his renowned novel, "Moby-Dick." Through extensive research in biblical studies, religious history, and comparative mythology, Cook offers a fresh perspective on "Moby-Dick," placing Melville's creative adaptation of the Bible at the heart of the work.

Cook identifies two central themes in the narrative that are deeply rooted in biblical sources: the quest to reconcile the goodness of God with the existence of evil, as depicted in the book of Job, and the discourse of the Christian end-times, encompassing the ultimate destruction of evil, as found in the apocalyptic books and eschatological passages of the Old and New Testaments. By conducting a meticulous reading of "Moby-Dick" in relation to its primary source text, Cook expands the reader's understanding of the novel's moral, religious, and mythical dimensions. This captivating book appeals to scholars, students, and enthusiasts of Melville's classic whaling narrative, offering a rich and insightful exploration of the author's profound thoughts and beliefs.

Weight: 28g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501761652