Sounding the Depths: Moby-Dick

Perhaps the world's most famous and least read classic is Melville's Moby-Dick. Rockwell Kent's connection to this sea tale is understandable, given Kent's love for the sea, and for faraway places, native peoples, and Melville's sense of life. In his 1930 illustrations of Moby-Dick Kent displayed his profound admiration for the book he called "a most solemn, mystic work." Few people know, however, the Winona connection to these illustrations.

This class will explore the rich depths of Moby-Dick, allowing readers unfamiliar with the text to understand what makes it, in the eyes of many authorities, the greatest American book, one especially relevant to our times. The only pre-requisite for taking this class is an honest desire to dive deeply into a long, complex, challenging, and sometimes slyly humorous book. The final exam question for this class is one you will answer silently for yourselves: Has the journey been worthwhile?

The class will be taught by Emilio DeGrazia, author and Professor Emeritus of English at Winona State University.

The class will meet for two hours, from 6:45-8:45 p.m. on four Mondays, January 7, 14, 21, and 28, 2013. Classes will be held at the WSU Alumni House (227 W. Wabasha St.) and the fee will be $45 for all four sessions. Students will be expected to supply their own unabridged copy of Moby-Dick, copies of which will be available at The Book Shelf.

Individuals may learn more about the class by contacting the instructor at 507-454-6564 or emailing Edegrazia@winona.edu.

Click here for an Excel registration form. Or click below for a .pdf of the registration form. Please complete, print and mail per the instructions.