Understanding Herman Melville's "Clarel: A Poem and Pilgrimage in the Holy Land": His Search for Faith, Love and Living, His Struggle with Doubt, and His Anxiety about the Decline of Civilization
“Even death may prove unreal at last and stoics be astounded into heaven. Then keep thy heart, though yet but ill-resigned, Clarel, thy heart, the issues there but mind. That like the crocus budding through the snow, that like a swimmer rising from the deep, that like a burning secret which doth go. Even from the bosom that would hoard and keep, emerge thou mayst from the last whelming sea and prove that death but routs life into victory.”
― Clarel: A Poem and Pilgrimage in the Holy Land
Herman Melville
Herman Melville's "Clarel: A Poem and Pilgrimage in the Holy Land": A Silent Publication
Herman Melville's "Clarel: A Poem and Pilgrimage in the Holy Land " published in 1876, is a sprawling epic poem that explores profound themes of faith, doubt, and the anxieties surrounding the decline of civilization. It is a four-part poem of 150 cantos, four books- Jerusalem, The Wilderness, Mar Saba, and Bethlehem and almost 18,000 lines about a naive American named Clarel, on pilgrimage through the Palestinian ruins with a provocative cluster of companions. Wells in his "Herman Melville’s Clarel" gives a vivid accounts of such caliber so silently published and so remained foggy for fifty odd years. Despite being hailed today as a magnificent work of American literature and one of the greatest novels ever written, "Moby-Dick" initially received unfavorable reviews upon its publication. As a result, its author Herman Melville faced significant challenges in earning a living as a writer. Consequently, when Melville completed his extensive epic poem "Clarel," which delved into the theme of religious doubt that consumed him for nearly ten years, he had to rely on private funds for its publication. Never the less, set in the Holy Land, the narrative of Clarel follows the title character, Clarel, as he embarks on a spiritual quest in search of meaning and religious enlightenment through star-magi imagery. In fact, it is the the author's colossal philosophical gold mines unearthed during his travel en route to Palestine.
Understanding Herman Melville's "Clarel" through Indian Philosophy
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| Herman Melville |
Clarel's search for faith and his struggle with doubt mirror the existential concerns that are central to Indian philosophical thought. Indian philosophies often address the nature of reality, the existence of suffering, and the search for liberation or enlightenment. Similarly, Clarel grapples with questions of faith and spirituality, questioning his beliefs and experiencing moments of doubt and despair.
Moreover, the anxiety about the decline of civilization, a prominent theme in "Clarel," can be linked to the cyclical view of time and civilizations found in Indian philosophy. Indian philosophies, particularly those influenced by Hinduism, propose the concept of yugas or cosmic ages, which depict a cycle of decline and renewal in human civilization. The anxiety about the decline of civilization expressed in "Clarel" can be seen as a parallel to the concerns regarding the deterioration and renewal of societies found in Indian philosophical thought.
Intertwining of the Erotic and the Metaphysical
Quite interestingly, in Herman Melville's "Clarel," the intertwining of the erotic and the metaphysical can be observed in certain aspects of the narrative.(BAYM, N. (1974). The Erotic Motif in Melville’s Clarel). While the poem primarily explores themes of faith, doubt, and the decline of civilization, there are moments where Melville explores the sensual and erotic dimensions of human experience in relation to the metaphysical realm.
One way in which the erotic and metaphysical intersect in "Clarel" is through the exploration of desire and its connection to spirituality. The poem depicts Clarel's encounters with various female characters, particularly Ruth, who represents a sensual and sexual presence. Clarel's attraction to Ruth introduces a tension between his earthly desires and his spiritual quest. This tension suggests that the erotic can serve as both a distraction from and a pathway towards the metaphysical realm. It raises questions about the nature of desire, its role in the human experience, and its potential connection to higher states of consciousness.
Additionally, the metaphysical aspects of "Clarel" are often conveyed through symbolic and visionary language, which can be evocative and sensuous. Melville employs vivid descriptions and poetic imagery to depict mystical experiences and encounters with the divine. These passages often have a poetic intensity that can evoke a sense of heightened sensuality, blurring the boundaries between the physical and the metaphysical realms. Through this blending of the erotic and the metaphysical, Melville suggests that the realms of desire and transcendence are not necessarily separate but can intersect and inform one another.
A Spiritual Journey
"Clarel" follows the eponymous protagonist, Clarel, on a spiritual journey. Set in the Holy Land, the narrative revolves around Clarel's search for faith and meaning in a world marked by doubt and the decline of civilization. Along his pilgrimage, Clarel encounters a diverse cast of characters, including fellow travelers, monks, and local inhabitants, each representing different perspectives on faith. Through introspection, dialogue, and vivid descriptions, the poem explores profound themes of religious doubt, existential struggles, and the complexities of human existence.
At the end, Clarel undergoes a profound transformation. After a long and arduous spiritual journey in the Holy Land, Clarel finds himself grappling with doubt and uncertainty regarding his faith. However, in the concluding moments of the poem, Clarel experiences a revelation that brings him a sense of renewed faith and understanding.
In the last canto of "Clarel", the epilogue, offers Melville’s commentary on the existential crisis of faith suffered by Clarel in the wake of Ruth’s death. The poem ends with a sense of resolution and a glimpse of hope, as Clarel emerges from his pilgrimage with a deepened understanding of his faith and a sense of spiritual renewal.
Conclusion
"Clarel" by Herman Melville stands as a profound and ambitious epic poem that explores the depths of human existence, the complexities of faith, and the interplay between doubt and spiritual enlightenment. Through the character of Clarel and his arduous pilgrimage in the Holy Land, Melville weaves together themes of love, religious doubt, and the decline of civilization. While initially met with limited recognition and published through private funds, "Clarel" offers readers a contemplative and introspective journey that delves into the nature of faith, the human condition, and the intertwining of earthly desires with the quest for transcendence. It remains a significant work in Melville's literary legacy, inviting reflection on the profound questions of existence that continue to resonate today.
References
1. The Skeptical Pilgrim: Melville’s Clarel. (2020, May 13). The Public Domain Review. https://publicdomainreview.org/essay/the-skeptical-pilgrim-melvilles-clarel/
2. Clarel - Wikipedia. (2010, January 1). Clarel - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarel#:~:text=Clarel%3A%20A%20Poem%20and%20Pilgrimage,originally%20published%20in%20two%20volumes.
3. Wells, H. W. (1943). Herman Melville’s Clarel. College English, 4(8), 478–483. https://doi.org/10.2307/371290
4. BAYM, N. (1974). The Erotic Motif in Melville’s Clarel. Texas Studies in Literature and Language, 16(2), 315–328. http://www.jstor.org/stable/40754326
5. Brodwin, S. (1971). Herman Melville’s Clarel: An Existential Gospel. PMLA, 86(3), 375–387. https://doi.org/10.2307/461103
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