In the Heart of the Sea (Assgnmt 1)

In the fictional novel, “In the Heart of the Sea” (2000), by Nathaniel Philbrick, the author vividly reiterates the tragedy of the whale ship Essex, through gathered historical facts from books detailing firsthand experience, in addition to quotes and excerpts from seamen of the ship, particularly Thomas Nickerson. The story follows a chronological order will presumably end in the aftermath of the tragedy. The author favors periodic sentences, especially when developing the oceanic imagery and delivering the concrete sensory details. He also takes advantage of nautical jargon to give the novel, e.g. identifying the ship as a woman, which ties into personification. Of course, the novel is also filled with historical allusions that keep it nostalgic. The author targets an audience of readers of sea tales and adventures, and/ or historical tragedies, in order to provide the audience with detailed explanation of the Essex tragedy in the form of dramatic entertainment. The purpose of the novel, based on the reading so far, is to restore this “epic tale” back in the prominence in history.

Vocabulary

• Disparagement: to refer disapprovingly or contemptuously to somebody or something
• Lucrative: producing profit or wealth
• Incessant: continuing for a long time without stopping
• Scruples: a moral or ethical consideration that tends to restrain action or behavior
• Cordage: the amount of wood in a stack, measured in cords

Tone

Perilous, logical, nostalgic

Rhetorical Strategies

• Nautical jargon; “As usual, three topgallant sails were pulling from the upper yards…” (Pg 37)
• Personification; “Immense block-and-tackle systems were strung from the ship’s masts to the wharf to haul the ship onto her side.” (Pg 18)
• Periodic sentences; “As he scrambled up the Essex’s side, then made his way aft to quarterdeck, Captain Pollard knew that the entire town was watching him and his men.” (Pg 29)
• Imagery; “When a ship is heeled over by forty-five degrees or more, her hull might be compared to a fat man on the short end of a lopsided seesaw.” (Pg 40)
• Historical allusions; “…privileged citizens of what Ralph Waldo Emerson called the “Nation of Nantucket.”” (Pg 7)

Discussion Questions

1. Because the subtitle of the novel- Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex- indicates a future death of a character (which are not always humans), predict the final outcome of the novel. Keep in mind that a few characters survive since their quotes can be found throughout the book.
2. How much belief would you have in Philbrick’s retelling of the tale, knowing it was not his firsthand experience?
3. Why does the author choose to use nautical jargon, knowing that his audience will not always understand its meaning?

Quote

“Living on a island that was almost the same distance from the mainland as England was from France, Nantucketeers developed a British sense of themselves as a distinct and superior people, privileged citizens of what Ralph Waldo Emerson called the “Nation of Nantucket.”” (Pg 7)