How would Herman Melville, author of Moby Dick, respond to Poe's "Ulalume" and "Silence- A Fable?"

-- Anonymous, December 06, 2002

Answers

I wish we had more actual critiques from that time. Melville's symbolism is more bold and brash, Poe's more sensitive and personal. Melville would appreciate the mnood and drama and the use of symbols in general. Strangely, both these men's novelsshare a lot in common, besides the Siouth seas traditional sources. Of all the referneces at the beginning of Moby Dick no mention is made of Poe. At the most he bypasses him and goes back to Reynolds. Melville admired Hawthorne and so did Poe. It is interesting to compare these three diffenerent men and wiriters and their use of symbols, psychology etc.

I can't project enough to answer this myself.

-- Anonymous, December 06, 2002