Herman Melville Research Paper

The most intriguing and adventurous writer in American history is world renown novelist, Herman Melville. Not only was Melville a brilliant novelist, he also dabbled in poetry and many short stories. Having much experience as a sailor, Melville particularly enjoyed life at sea.

Herman Melville was born in Manhattan, New York City, NY on August 1, 1819. Melville’s father, Allan Melvill, was a prosperous merchant in New York City. However, Allan’s business soon became unsuccessful, leaving the family broke and in poverty. His mother, Maria Gansevoort, was devoutly religious and came from a family of high social class. Being the third of eight children, Melville experienced an unfair childhood. After his bankrupt father’s death in 1832, he was

Lawrence. When he returned, he began to teach school and search for other odd jobs around New York City. He then sailed around the southern tip of South America on board the Acushnet. Melville’s home was to make profit in the Marquesas Islands in the Pacific Ocean; however, harsh treatment and discipline by his captains caused him to abandon the ship and its company (Cliffsnotes). Melville lived with harmless cannibals until his captains captured and brought him back on the wretched ship. Later, Melville along with other sailors became fed up with the unfair treatment by the captains, and refused to follow orders given. This led to the imprisonment of many sailors on land by the aggressive ship captains. As the prison was only a roof and poles, Melville easily escaped and boarded an American whaling ship, the Charles and Henry. Following his discharge in April 1843, Melville obtained many miscellaneous jobs such as a bowling alley pinsetter. Melville concluded his ship sailing days by boarding a Navy frigate and visiting many Latin American ports as well as Tahiti and Marquesas for the second

By 1847, he was approaching the age of thirty and wanted a stable relationship that would eventually lead to a happy marriage. Elizabeth Knapp Shaw, a friend of his sister Helen, wedded Melville only months after they met. Happily married and three years later, Melville purchased a farm in Massachusetts, which he named Arrowhead (CI). Most of the money used to buy Arrowhead, however, was borrowed from his wife’s wealthy side of the family. Living nearby Arrowhead was author Nathaniel Hawthorne, who met Melville the same year he published his most famous novel, The Scarlet Letter. The two authors became close friends and kept their friendship for the remainder of their lives