The present volume examines Moby-Dick, the novel (references to Moby Dick the whale have no italics and no hyphen), from a variety of points of view. Indeed, a special focus of this volume involves the many different kinds of critical perspectives that can be—and have been—employed when examining Melville’s masterwork. In particular, the present volume emphasizes how the novel was received by many of its earlier readers; the variety of ways in which it can be interpreted by readers today; and a number of the most up-to-date approaches, such as ecocriticism and connections between Melville’s novel and modern art. In the critical context section, an array of topics are dicussed such as "Sailor, Writer, Metaphysician," "The Critic and the Whale," and "Critical Pluralism," to name a few. The critical readings section dominates the later half of the book. First responses to the title in addition to responses from the Nineteenth Century are noted. Religion is another topic examined thoroughly. Natural History, personification, ecology, and fallacy are other themes noted in these articles. The volume concludes with details on other works by Melville, a Bibliography, an About the Editor section, Contributors, and an index.