The Literature Network - Melville's 'White-Jacket.' (Herman Melville)

Melville's 'White-Jacket.' (Herman Melville)

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From: The Explicator
Date: 19930622
Author:Stephenson, Mimosa; Stephenson, Will

The character Ushant represents a successful rebel in Herman Melville's 'White-Jacket.' Ushant defies Captain Claret's order to shave his beard on return from a sea-voyage arguing that his time of enlistment is over. Ushant is flogged but still refuses to obey. The name Ushant is appropriate for a rebel. As the English translation of Ouessant, Ushant suggests the strenth and invulnerability of the French granite island, Ouessant. In addition, the sound of the same is suggestive of 'you shan't.'

Herman Melville celebrates rebellion throughout his work, most notably, of course, in ...

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