Re: Steelkilt

[Ffrangcon Lewis]

Dear John and all,

Thanks for the marvellously possible source for 'The Town-Ho's Story'! Thanks to Stephen for the illustration, and to Tamar for the whale in the ice. I don't know how John manages to keep asking such hard questions: all the things I don't know I don't know!

I'm not convinced by Steelkilt as a Scottish Templar, though it is not impossible, I suppose. OED gives a quotation: 'Thus was formed a kilt of armour, or iron petticoat', but dates it 1874. I'm tempted to suggest the simple-minded answer which is to say that 'steel' is hard, relatively inflexible, and capable of doing damage (a sword or dagger), and that 'kilt' need not be confined to the Scottish garment, but etymologically signifies just 'cloth' or 'clothing'. Thus our man is 'clothed in steel', or 'armed'. Just for fun, though, bear in mind that 'steel' could mean from cant or slang the 'Bastille', and then came to signify any gaol. 'Kilt' can also be an obsolete past participle of 'kill'; apt enough for the volatile and resolute Steelkilt. As for what was 'hissed' to the captain, but 'inaudible' to others, it seems impossible to know, though one might conjecture that it was either so intimidating that the captain dared not
strike, or so compromising that he would not take the risk of the next 'hiss' becoming audible to all. Is it important to the rest of the story or the remainder of the novel? At first sight, no, and yet its very unknowability might hint at something to do with our larger readerly quest and its likely fate. It seems in some ways both a precursor to, and in stark contrast with, Billy Budd's stammer, and later his involuntary blow. To put it perhaps more clearly, this tale within the tale is about being lured towards an 'inside narrative' of tyranny and resistance but never quite getting there. Or am I wrong?

Yours,

Ffrangcon Lewis

--- On Tue, 6/16/09, fino sjohn <stein....@gmail.com> wrote:

> From: fino sjohn <stein....@gmail.com>
> Subject: Steelkilt
> To: "ishmailites" <ishma...@googlegroups.com>
> Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2009, 3:14 PM
> All,
>  
>       Melville introduces a strangely named
> sailor from the Great Lakes in "The Town-Ho's
> Story." He is a foil to his enemy Radney. What does his
> name mean? Why did Melville devise it? The word
> 'kilt' calls to mind a Scotsman. A kilt made from
> steel pictures for me a knight in a coat of mail, or perhaps
> in a steel skirt. A specific Scottish knight so accoutered
> could be a Knights Templar, some of whom, as legend has it,
> fled to Scotland after the king of France had arrested the
> Templars and destroyed their holdings in France. Dan Brown
> in The Da Vinci Code uses this as a vehicle to
> propel his story. But so what?
>
>  
>     When Steelkilt is about to be flogged by his
> captain, he hisses something "inaudible to all but the
> Captain; who, to the amazement of all hands, started back,
> paced the deck rapidly two or three times, and then suddenly
> throwing down his rope, said,'I won't do it---let
> him go--cut him down: d'ye hear?'" What did
> Steelkilt say to the captain of the Town-Ho? What
> would have prevented the captain from flogging Steelkilt? I
> have no answers to these question. Are the answers of any
> importance to the rest of this novel?
>
>  
>    And thanks, Stephen, for the picture of the
> open-mouthed whale. Is this the one who snatched up Radney?
> Also thanks for the other provocative
> inserts.                John Gretchko
>
> >
>
>
>

[Phil Walsh]

Hi folks,

There are at least two other scenes in Moby-Dick where Melville leaves
significant speech inaudible to his audience.

In Ch. 71 "The Jeroboam's Story", twice Captain Mayhew tries to quiet
the fanatical Gabriel, and both times Melville cuts him off:

'"Gabriel, Gabriel!" cried Captain Mayhew; "thou must either---" But
that instant a headlong wave shot the boat far ahead, and its seethings
drowned all speech.'
...
'"I tell thee again, Gabriel, that---" But again the boat tore ahead as
if dragged by fiends.'

Perhaps more interestingly, in Ch. 52 "The Albatross", as the stranger
ship passes the Pequod and sails away Ahab hails them:

"Ahoy there! This is the Pequod, bound round the world! Tell them to
address all future letters to the Pacific ocean! and this time three
years, if I am not at home, tell them to address them to--------"

Where (or to whom??) does Ahab say his letters should be addressed?

Best regards,
Phil Walsh

[Phil Walsh]

Oh--and what, if anything, do these cases of 'lost speech' have in
common?

[Ffrangcon Lewis]

Dear Phil and all,

Thanks for the link you make with the passages below and for the questions you ask about them. I've always felt that Ahab was directing the letters to be sent to hell, though I'm not sure that I have a great deal to go on as evidence for that, beyond the general convention of leaving the word blank and the persistence of demonic imagery in the novel. More generally, what you aptly call these instances of 'lost speech' might have in common is that they mark moments of suppression - or perhaps repression - and therefore are perhaps hissingly infernal. Another way of regarding at least Billy's stammer might be that it has to do with the limits of language, or even with its impotence, in face of the crucial confrontations with existence. As such it has enormous implications for a writer as eloquent and enraptured as Melville can be. Beyond that, I don't know, but would be glad to have the responses of others.

On another matter, Melvyn Bragg's BBC Radio 4 series 'In Our Time' had one of its very good discussions today on the evolution of 'Revenge Tragedy' in Elizabethan and Jacobean drama. It is broadcast again this evening, and is available as a podcast. It was very interesting on the political context, I thought, and had some points of clear relevance for Melvilleans.

Best wishes,

Ffrangcon Lewis

--- On Thu, 6/18/09, Phil Walsh <pj...@netins.net> wrote:

[tamar cummings]

Demonic imagery in the novel......absolutely! This is a crucial point to be aware of, to "have ears to hear" those demonic allusions.   And then the choice, is alluded to yea or nay, each man has his say, there is no gray. What is the choice between? Thou must either what or what???? Melville cuts the words off as the fiends intrude to silence the words, so that men's ears might not hear....might not hear and be set free....oh, what is the choice "thou must either....????what????   This morning I was reading a passage that outlines the very choice Melville was alluding to here:   "Beloved, listen, there are just two alternatives for you, and nothing else.   Either the Will of God which is Mercy, or to bear the consequences of your SIN without that mercy.   You have to BEAR on or the other, the MERCY or the SIN.   God does not require us to prove that to you by arguments of human reason. Our purpose is to state, and declare what the Bible says His will IS. He has given to us to testify and say "That is what He did to me." We testify, and teach, and warn every man: this is THE WILL OF GOD. Be wise. It is an hour to learn to be wise. So be wise.   from "What the Bible Teaches About Mercy" by Rex B. Andrews (written in Israel in the 50's on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, someone gave me this book in Israel)   This chapter is based on readings from Hosea 6:6, Matthew 9 and Matthew 12.   There is some amazing stuff in these chapters and I trust that Melville aquainted and adept at using scripture as he was, was using this same information.

> > > > In Ch. 71 "The Jeroboam's Story"

> > >

> > '"Gabriel, Gabriel!" cried Captain Mayhew; "thou must > either---" But > > that instant a headlong wave shot the boat far ahead, > and its seethings > > drowned all speech.' > > ... > > '"I tell thee again, Gabriel, that---" But again the > boat tore ahead as > > if dragged by fiends.' > >

--- On Thu, 6/18/09, Ffrangcon Lewis <ffrangc...@yahoo.com> wrote:

From: Ffrangcon Lewis <ffrangc...@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: Steelkilt To: Ishma...@googlegroups.com Date: Thursday, June 18, 2009, 2:22 PM

Dear Phil and all,                   Thanks for the link you make with the passages below and for the questions you ask about them.  I've always felt that Ahab was directing the letters to be sent to hell, though I'm not sure that I have a great deal to go on as evidence for that, beyond the general convention of leaving the word blank and the persistence of demonic imagery in the novel. ......

[Alvin Hass]

That Steelkilt uttered a masonic password seems more plausible than speculations that he said "I am your son," or even more unlikely, "I am a woman."  Regards, Normie --- On Fri, 6/19/09, Hardeman <lhp...@gmail.com> wrote: From: Hardeman <lhp...@gmail.com> Subject: Re: Steelkilt To: "Ishmailites" <Ishma...@googlegroups.com> Date: Friday, June 19, 2009, 2:26 AM Stephen, Your Masonic linkage rings true with me. Which would make the Steelkilt’s word to the captain « mor-bon-zi » recognized by all Masons. The captain has already overcome the mutiny so he had bested Steelkilt and also showed contempt for Steelkilt’s threat of killing him so he was unafraid of corperal retaliations. There remains only some secret vulnerability which would be explained by the masonic brotherhood demanding recognition. Elsewhere Melville tells us he is aware of secret Masonic signs and symbols. « The more I consider this mighty tail, the more do I deplore my inability to express it. At times there are gestures in it, which, though they would well grace the hand of man, remain wholly inexplicable. In a extensive herd, so remarkable, occasionally, are these mystic gestures, that I have heard hunters who have declared them akin to Free-Mason signs and symbols; that the whale, indeed, by these methods intelligently conversed with the world. «   [MD 86 The Tail] "Pierre made a masonic sort of mysterious motion to the excellent Dates, who in automaton obedience thereto, brought from a certain agreeable little side-stand, a very prominent-looking cold pasty." As explained in on-line sites, the secret Masonic word is a substitute for the lost word from Solomon’s time when they substituted; « "mor-bon-zi" for the lost word. Today, this substituted word is the Grand Masonic Word according to Masonic history. It is believed that Solomon and Hiram passed on their two parts of the secret word to very trusted members only, and that these knowing members likewise passed it on to other trusted members. Today, the very few with this knowledge are very actively searching for the lost syllable so they can utter the real three-part secret word, or the actual lost Word. Since mor-bon-zi is only a substitute secret word, all Masons are given it and recognise it to this day.” [ Please note its relevance to Steelkilts situation hissed in a “low breath”] “ However, mor-bon-zi is very rarely spoken except during initiations or on very special occasions, and then only in a low breath. The password the Masons use in everyday matters is ‘tu-bal-cain.’” [The Real Secret Word    http://www.xeeatwelve.com/articles/the_word.htm] Great stuff Stephen and John, Hardeman On Jun 19, 12:00 am, "Stephen Hoy" <stephen...@yahoo.com> wrote: > In re: John Gretchko's suggestion that Steelkilt uses a secret Templar codeword to escape punishment by the captain. My initial thoughts were that it doesn't fit the situation. Steelkilt's story is all about the passion of revenge, so I've always imagined his hissed words as a threat of retaliation delivered with such conviction that the captain is visibly intimidated. Radney on the other hand is so intent on his own pride-filled revenge that any threat from Steelkilt would merely incite his own passions to greater levels. > > But the idea of using a covert sign isn't altogether foreign to the period, particularly in context of a tale that begins with "Romish injunctions" of secrecy. This was the Club era in America after all, and Freemasonry flourished despite the brief backlash about 1840. It wasn't just adult males who were influenced by the allure of the secret society; we find masonry influencing the actions of college-aged teens like Philip Spencer at Union College and aboard the brig Somers, to name just one poignant example. > > One of the first things masonic initiates were taught was how to recognize another member, and they learned early on how to recognize a signal of urgent distress to which they were enjoined to dutifully respond. Signs and phrases could be openly offered in situations where the signals be recognized and understood only by a fellow-initiate. > > I have in my pocket somewhere a Melville-related example of the effective use of a Masonic sign to escape a potentially fatal situation. It took me a couple days to dig it out--I hope the group will find it worth the effort. > > The incident involves George Brewster and his younger brother Charles...I have trouble keeping them straight, but I think George was at one time Allan Melville's law partner; maybe he also partnered with Henry Gansevoort prior to the war. Charles was also a Manhattan lawyer. At the time of this event, George was Captain in a New York cavalry regiment fraternally hosting his visiting brother on a scout, much like the scout Herman had undertaken with Col. Lowell the previous spring. During the Brewsters' scout, the entire patrol were captured by Mosby's men. The event occurred soon after the infamous Front Royal executions of Mosby's men, and Mosby felt obligated to retaliate. > > Melville refers to the incident somewhat obliquely in "A Scout Toward Aldie": > >    "Of course; but what's that dangling there" >    "Where?" "From the tree - that gallows-bough; >    "A bit of frayed bark, is it not" >    "Ay - or a rope; did we hang last-? >    Don't like my neckerchief any how" >    He loosened it: "O ay, we'll stop >    This Mosby - but that vile jerk and drop!" > > Incidentally, you'll see in the excerpt below that Mosby considered Custer the perpetrator of the Front Royal executions, but in fact they were conducted by a cavalry company operating under the command of Col. Lowell. For more on this, see Carol Bundy, The Nature of Sacrifice. > > Following is the incident as related by John Scott in his Partisan Life with Col. John S. Mosby (1867): > ------------------------ > Early in November, Captain A.E. Richards, with ten men, ... captured fifteen prisoners, among whom were Captain Brewster of Custer's staff, and his brother, a lawyer, bound on a canvassing expedition to the army in the interest of General McClellan. ... As the prisoners...were passing through Ashby's Gap, they were met by Mosby, who, when informed that they belonged to General Custer's division, determined to retaliate upon them for the death of the Rangers who had been executed at Front Royal. > .... > On the day appointed for the execution,...Mosby arrived prepared to enter upon his painful task. There were twenty-seven men left after Brewster, the lawyer, was excluded from the lottery, and on the list were the names of two officers--Captain Brewster and a lieutenant of artillery. An officer was detailed to superintend the sad affair, and Mosby withdrew from the painful scene saying, "This duty must be performed for the protection of my men from the ruthless Custer and Powell." > > The prisoners were drawn up in single rank and for each a bit of paper was prepared, but seven only of them were numbered. They were then all put into a hat, and each prisoner was required to draw forth one of them. Those who drew blanks were to be sent to Richmond as prisoners of war, but those who drew numbers were to be hung. ... Brewster, the lawyer, was there too, and with agonized looks was watching the fate of his brother, while tears coursed down his cheeks. As each hand was taken from the hat, an expression of joy and relief would brighten the countenance, or a groan of anguish or a cry of despair would burst from the lips. > > The condemned men were at once set apart and closely guarded. The two officers had drawn blanks, but not so the drummer boy. His appeals to Captain Richards were now louder and more eloquent than ever, who, touched with compassion, interceded with Mosby for his release. The application was granted, for the boy in truth ought never to have been subjected to the lottery. But another had to be substituted in his place, for Mosby remembered the blackened corpses of Overby and Carter as they hung in the parching wind. The prisoners, in cruel suspense, again stood in line, but now only one death warrant was in the hat. Captain Brewster again escaped, but the artillery officer was not so fortunate. > .... > As the party was passing through Ashby's Gap, they were met by Captain Mountjoy who was returning from the Valley with an additional supply of prisoners taken from General Custer's command. ...Among the men condemned to death, he recognized the artillery officer and one of his companions to be Freemasons, and on his own responsibility substituted in their places two of his own prisoners. > .... > When the substitution made by Captain Mountjoy was reported to Mosby he was much offended, and with severity told him he must remember in future that his command was not a masonic lodge. > - John Scott. Partisan Life with Mosby (1867). > ------------------------