Hello book club!
We just hosted Jacob Allee of Study the Great Books for an impromptu discussion on another of Herman Melville’s classics, Billy Budd — as a complement to our ongoing read of Moby-Dick.
The conversation explores the historical background, characters, and deeper themes of Melville’s novella, especially:
Billy Budd as the embodiment of beauty and natural goodness, and whether such innocence can survive in a fallen world.
Melville’s exploration of the nature of good and evil, and the tension between moral conscience and institutional authority.
The biblical and literary traditions woven throughout Billy Budd, and its own place in the Great Conversation…
A great discussion of a deceptively simple story. Enjoy!
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We are currently reading Moby-Dick together. The next discussion is on November 10 — watch back the previous sessions here.
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