Moby Dick Response

Henry Melville’s Moby Dick stands as America’s greatest contribution to the literary world. Melville delves into the depths of human nature and  raises several thought provoking questions. In chapter seven, protagonist Ishmael enters a small church and finds a crowd of worn out  persons mourning sailors whom the seas have claimed. Upon seeing this Ishmael wonders, “how is it that we still refuse to be comforted for those who we nevertheless maintain are dwelling in unspeakable bliss” (65). Melville here places Ishmael in the same role as Shakespeare’s Fool in Twelfth Night. To mourn the loss of those presumably in heaven seems, from the onlooker’s perspective, foolish; however, Melville qualifies this foolishness in saying that “Faith, like a jackal, feeds among the tombs, and even from these dead doubts she gathers her most vital hope” (65). The mourning benefits not the deceased, but rather the living. The mourners turn to the Lord when seeing no other option. All said, Ishmael seems to envy the dead who have been set free from the burdens of the world. As he sets to go on his epic journey, the read must consider whether Ishmael will use the ship, as Jonah, to run from God or perhaps as a form of self-penance. Ishmael claims to be a Presbyterian believer, but his actions and thoughts seem to betray a great amount of doubt. He appears a man running from his past and what better pensieve to store away painful memories than the endless sea? 

JAWS - through the lens.....

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News on the Water

South Korea today intercepted a North Korean ship a few kilometers south of the two Korea's sea border. The boat was carrying 20 men and 11 women, all of who were workers (no children). This comes just before talks between the two governments begin on Tuesday. The captured have shown no desire to defect. The vessel was captured near Yeonpyeong island, which this past November was shelled by North Korea. North Korea said the shelling was a response to Military exercises conducted by South Korea. Some have speculated that the shelling came out of the change of power rumored to be going on as Kim Jung-il passes on his dictatorship to his son. The Demilitarized Zone between the two nations stands as the most militarized zone in the world with hundreds of thousands of troops on both sides as well as countless land mines. Tunnels dug by North Korea have been discovered by the UN leading into the heart of Seoul. Tensions have been high ever since the end of the Korean war. Both nations are prepared for full out war. A show down seems inevitable, but who will tip the scale? Perhaps Kim-Jung-il's son will be more open to peace talks...

SHARK ATTACKS

Shark Attacks are going up every decade except in Florida.

The US has the most recorded unprovoked shark attacks followed by Australia.

Egypt recently blamed shark attacks in the red sea on Israel.

To prevent attacks it is best to travel in groups and avoid wandering to far from shore. Also use great caution when in murky water.

The most common type of unprovoked shark is the "hit and run".

Most attacks happen in near shore water, being the location of most of it's food.

There are, world-wide, 70-100 shark per year. The higher the population of the are, the more attacks.