If you went to high school in America, you probably read Moby-Dick — or, more likely, you skimmed the CliffsNotes and wondered why this dense, whale-obsessed novel was considered a classic.

That was me in 10th grade.

But earlier this year, I decided to revisit Moby-Dick in midlife, and it hit me completely differently. What once seemed like a tedious story about a guy chasing a whale revealed itself to be a profound meditation on free will, perception, self-reliance, leadership, and obsession. It’s now one of my favorite novels.

To help unpack why Moby-Dick endures — and why it might be worth picking up again— I’m joined by Mark Cirino, a professor of American literature. Today on the show, we discuss why Moby-Dick was initially overlooked, the novel’s major themes, and the timeless mystery of Captain Ahab’s monomaniacal quest.

Resources Related to the Podcast

Mark's previous appearances on the AoM podcast:
Episode #786: The Writing Life of Ernest Hemingway
Episode #922: For Whom the Bell Tolls
One True Podcast
The Norton Library Podcast
Mark's Norton Library Edition of A Farewell to Arms

Connect With Mark Cirino

Mark’s faculty page

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Chasing the White Whale — Into the Depths of Moby-Dick

The Art of Manliness