Mardi, Volume I by Herman Melville
The novel is set in the Caribbean and follows a young sailor who becomes embroiled in a series of adventures involving pirates, mutiny, and romance. The story explores themes of identity, morality, and the human condition through the protagonist's experiences on a ship that sails from New Orleans to the island of Tortuga.
By Herman Melville · First published 1847 · Genre: Adventure, Allegory, Satire · 60 chapters · 134,895 words
First lines
We are off! The courses and topsails are set: the coral-hung anchor swings from the bow: and together, the three royals are given to the breeze, that follows us out to sea like the baying of a hound. Out spreads the canvas-alow, aloft-boom-stretched, on both sides, with many a stun' sail; till like a hawk, with pinions poised, we shadow the sea with our sails, and reelingly cleave the brine.
But whence, and whither wend ye, mariners?
What this Textopian page supports
Mardi, Volume I is listed on Textopian as a novel by Herman Melville, dated 1847 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Herman Melville
- Date: 1847 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Adventure, Allegory, Satire, Fantasy, Philosophical Fiction
- Length: 134,895 words
- Structure: 104 chapters, 1,715 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Mardi, Volume I by Herman Melville
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Mardi, Volume I?
- How does this novel by Herman Melville fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Adventure first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Mardi Volume Ii by Herman Melville
- Domnei by James Branch Cabell
- The Cords Of Vanity by James Branch Cabell
- Mr Blokes Item by Mark Twain
- A Curious Pleasure Excursion by Mark Twain
- A Curious Experience by Mark Twain
Genres
- Adventure — The narrative follows a journey through exotic and unknown lands, typical of adventure stories.
- Allegory — The story uses symbolic figures and actions to convey deeper moral and philosophical meanings.
- Satire — The text critiques and mocks societal norms and politics through its narrative and characters.
- Fantasy — The setting includes imaginary worlds and fantastical elements beyond the realm of reality.
Tags
Historical Fiction · Adventure · Romance · Satire · Social Commentary · American Literature · 19th Century Novel · Coming of Age · Self-Discovery · Morality Tale · Philosophical Themes · Existentialism
Contents
- Foot in Stirrup
- A Calm
- A King for a Comrade
- A Chat in the Clouds
- Seats Secured and Portmanteaus Packed
- Eight Bells
- A Pause
- They Push off, Velis Et Remis
- The Watery World is all before Them
- They Arrange their Canopies and Lounges, and Try to Make Things <Br/> Comfortable
- Jarl Afflicted with the Lockjaw
- More about being in an Open Boat
- Of the Chondropterygii, and other Uncouth Hordes Infesting the South <Br/> Seas
- Jarl's Misgivings
- A Stitch in Time Saves Nine
- They are Becalmed
- In High Spirits, they Push on for the Terra Incognita
- My Lord Shark and his Pages
- Who Goes there?
- Noises and Portents
- Man Ho!
- What Befel the Brigantine at the Pearl Shell Islands
- Sailing from the Island they Pillage the Cabin
- Dedicated to the College of Physicians and Surgeons
- Peril a Peace-Maker
- Containing a Pennyweight of Philosophy
- In which the Past History of the Parki is Concluded
- Suspicions Laid, and Something about the Calmuc
- What they Lighted Upon in further Searching the Craft, and the <Br/> Resolution they Came To
- Hints for a Full Length of Samoa
- Rovings Alow and Aloft
- Xiphius Platypterus
- Otard
- How they Steered on their Way
- Ah, Annatoo!
- The Parki Gives up the Ghost
- Once more they Take to the Chamois
- The Sea on Fire
- They Fall in with Strangers
- Sire and Sons
- A Fray
- Remorse
- The Tent Entered
- Away!
- Reminiscences
- The Chamois with a Roving Commission
- Yillah, Jarl, and Samoa
- Something under the Surface
- Yillah
- Yillah in Ardair
- The Dream Begins to Fade
- World Ho!
- The Chamois Ashore
- A Gentleman from the Sun
- Tiffin in a Temple
- King Media a Host
- Taji Takes Counsel with Himself
- Mardi by Night and Yillah by Day
- Their Morning Meal
- Belshazzar on the Bench