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Leadership and Monomania: Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick

In: Fictional Leaders

Author

Listed:
  • Burkard Sievers

Abstract

This paper has turned out to be a whale of a paper and is at the same time ‘but a draught—nay, but the draught of a draught’ (Melville, 1851/1967, Page 128). Nevertheless, as Joseph Conrad (1920) once replied to the critics of his novel Chance, it seems that I am in good company: No doubt that by selecting a certain method and taking great pains the whole story might have been written out on a cigarette paper. For that mater, the whole history of mankind could be written thus if only approached with sufficient detachment. The history of men on this earth since the beginning of ages may be rescued in one phrase of infinite poignancy: They were born, they suffered, they died … Yet it is a great talent. But in the infinitely minute stories about men 50 and women it is my lot on earth to narrate I am not capable of such detachment. (Preface, Chance, Page i)

Suggested Citation

  • Burkard Sievers, 2013. "Leadership and Monomania: Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Fictional Leaders, chapter 4, pages 50-86, Palgrave Macmillan.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palchp:978-1-137-27275-1_5
    DOI: 10.1057/9781137272751_5
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