Part one of term paper
Herman Melville was born August 1, 1819 in New York. He was the third of eight children who lived in poverty throughout their late childhood. Melville grew up hearing tales of adventure, as his father was a world traveler and both his grandfathers’ Revolutionary War heroes. This prompted him to seek a brave, courageous life, and then put ...

Part two of term paper
... poorly paid” (14). While teaching in May of 1839 he managed to publish his first piece, “Fragments from a Writing Desk,” in a newspaper. Searching for better employment, Melville joined a whaling crew on the ship Acushnet. He quickly grew to hate it and deserted ship with a fellow mate on an unfamiliar island. Melville crossed paths with a cannibal tribe called the Typee. After a month on the island he returned to his homeland and told stories to family and friends. They encouraged ...