Mardi, Volume II by Herman Melville
The novel is a satirical commentary on American society during the mid-19th century. It follows the story of a young man who travels to Europe and becomes disillusioned with the social conventions and hypocrisy he encounters. The protagonist's journey serves as a metaphor for the search for identity and meaning in life. He grapples with the tension between individualism and conformity, and struggles to reconcile his own values with those of society. Throughout the novel, Melville critiques the excesses and superficiality of American culture, particularly the wealthy elite. He also explores themes of morality, ethics, and the human condition. The narrative is a complex blend of satire, social commentary, and philosophical inquiry, reflecting Melville's interests in psychology, anthropology, and philosophy.
By Herman Melville · First published 1849 · Genre: Adventure, Satire, Philosophical · 60 chapters · 148,969 words
First lines
We were now voyaging straight for Maramma; where lived and reigned, in mystery, the High Pontiff of the adjoining isles: prince, priest, and god, in his own proper person: great lord paramount over many kings in Mardi; his hands full of scepters and crosiers.
Soon, rounding a lofty and insulated shore, the great central peak of the island came in sight; domineering over the neighboring hills; the same aspiring pinnacle, descried in drawing near the archipelago in the Chamois.
What this Textopian page supports
Mardi, Volume II is listed on Textopian as a novel by Herman Melville, dated 1849 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: 1849 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Adventure, Satire, Philosophical, Fantasy, Romance
- Length: 148,969 words
- Structure: 91 chapters, 2,604 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Mardi, Volume II 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 II?
- 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 I by Herman Melville
- A Curious Pleasure Excursion by Mark Twain
- A Royal Poet by Washington Irving
- The Intelligence Office by Nathaniel Hawthorne
- Domnei by James Branch Cabell
- Gambara by Honore De Balzac
Genres
- Adventure — The narrative follows a journey through exotic islands, focusing on exploration and discovery.
- Satire — The book critiques contemporary society and politics through allegorical storytelling.
- Philosophical — The text delves into existential and metaphysical themes, exploring the nature of reality and human experience.
- Fantasy — The setting includes fictional islands and imaginative elements that transcend realistic boundaries.
Tags
Historical Fiction · Adventure · Romance · Satire · Social Commentary · American Literature · 19th Century Novel · Coming of Age · Self-Discovery · Morality Tale · Philosophical Themes · Existentialism
Contents
- Maramma
- They Land
- They Pass through the Woods
- Hivohitee Mdcccxlviii
- They Visit the Great Morai
- They Discourse of the Gods of Mardi, and Braid-Beard Tells of One Foni
- They Visit the Lake of Yammo
- They Meet the Pilgrims at the Temple of Oro
- They Discourse of Alma
- Mohi Tells of One Ravoo, and they Land to Visit Hevaneva, a Flourishing Artisan
- A Nursery-Tale of Babbalanja'S
- Landing to Visit Hivohitee the Pontiff, they Encounter an Extraordinary Old Hermit; with whom Yoomy has a Confidential Interview, but Learns Little
- Babbalanja Endeavors to Explain the Mystery
- Taji Receives Tidings and Omens
- Dreams
- Media and Babbalanja Discourse
- They Regale themselves with their Pipes
- They Visit an Extraordinary Old Antiquary
- They Go down into the Catacombs
- Babbalanja Quotes from an Antique Pagan; and Earnestly Presses it Upon the Company, that what he Recites is not his but Another'S
- They Visit a Wealthy Old Pauper
- Yoomy Sings some Odd Verses, and Babbalanja Quotes from the Old Authors Right and Left
- What Manner of Men the Tapparians Were
- Their Adventures Upon Landing at Pimminee
- A, I, and O
- A Reception-Day at Pimminee
- Babbalanja Falleth Upon Pimminee Tooth and Nail
- Babbalanja Regales the Company with some Sandwiches
- They Still Remain Upon the Rock
- Behind and Before
- Babbalanja Discourses in the Dark
- My Lord Media Summons Mohi to the Stand
- Wherein Babbalanja and Yoomy Embrace
- Of the Isle of Diranda
- They Visit the Lords Piko and Hello
- They Attend the Games
- Taji Still Hunted, and Beckoned
- They Embark from Diranda
- Wherein Babbalanja Discourses of Himself
- Of the Sorcerers in the Isle of Minda
- Chiefly of Sing Bello
- Dominora and Vivenza
- They Land at Dominora
- Through Dominora, they Wander after Yillah
- They Behold King Bello's State Canoe
- Wherein Babbalanja Bows Thrice
- Babbalanja Philosophizes, and my Lord Media Passes Round the Calabashes
- They Sail Round an Island Without Landing; and Talk Round a Subject Without Getting at It
- They Draw Nigh to Porpheero; where they Behold a Terrific Eruption
- Wherein King Media Celebrates the Glories of Autumn, the Minstrel, the Promise of Spring
- In which Azzageddi Seems to Use Babbalanja for a Mouth-Piece
- The Charming Yoomy Sings
- They Draw Nigh Unto Land
- They Visit the Great Central Temple of Vivenza
- Wherein Babbalanja Comments Upon the Speech of Alanno
- A Scene in the Land of Warwicks, or King-Makers
- They Hearken Unto a Voice from the Gods
- They Visit the Extreme South of Vivenza
- They Converse of the Mollusca, Kings, Toad-Stools and other Matters
- Wherein, that Gallant Gentleman and Demi-God, King Media, Scepter in <Br/> Hand, Throws himself into the Breach