I enjoyed reading about the horror’s that inspired Moby Dick.
Firstly, I love to hear when authors (like Melville) visit places of inspiration for possible literary ideas. I believe this makes for some of the best work to be created as they’re quite well immersed in the eventual “nature” of the novel-to-be.
Secondly, I found it hilarious that Pollard and his crew upon the Essex stole around 100 turtles and then lit the island on fire upon leaving. That cracked me up. I think that is such a “boy” thing to do. In addition, how tragically ironic that their initial response was to not touch the alleged “cannibal” island but to then later resort to exactly this when their hunger descended them into madness. Talk about a self-fulfilling prophecy.
In all seriousness, this passage right here is really nightmarish:
“They had only the bones of the last crewmen to perish, which they smashed on the bottom of the boat so that they could eat the marrow.”
To then become obsessed with the remains of your crewmates to the point where you’re not relieved to being rescued is creepy as hell. I could only imagine the harrowing countenance of Pollard and Ramsdell in these moments.
Hey Marley, I enjoyed reading your response to the article. I agree with you when you say you like how authors visit places that will inspire them, like how Melville went to Nantucket to talk to Captain Pollard. It really adds to the story of Moby-Dick knowing that Melville went out of his way to talk to old sea captains and listen to their stories. I also find it incredibly ironic, hilarious, but mostly sad that they decided not to go onto the islands after the ship had been wrecked because they believed it be roaming with cannibals. This story is so crazy that it took me a moment to process it, especially knowing that it’s a true story. I can only imagine how horrific living through that could be.