Israel Potter (Masterplots, Revised Second Edition)
At a glance:
- Author: Herman Melville
- First Published: 1855
- Type of Work: Novel
- Type of Plot: Historical
- Time of Work: 1774-1826
- Setting: Vermont, Massachusetts, England, France, and the Atlantic Ocean
- Principal Characters: Israel Potter, Israel’s Father, King George III, Benjamin Franklin, John Paul Jones, Ethan Allen, Squire Woodcock, The Earl of Selkirk
- Genres: Long fiction, Historical fiction, Satire
- Subjects: History, United States or Americans, Traveling or travelers, France or French people, Nineteenth century, England or English people, American Revolution, Eighteenth century, Sailing or sailors, Atlantic Ocean, Sea or seafaring life, Espionage or spies, Pirates, Braggarts
- Locales: France, England, Oceans, Massachusetts, Vermont
The Story:
Born among the rugged stones of the New England hills, in the Housatonic Valley, Israel Potter grew up with all the virtues of the hard, principled, new land. After an argument with his father over a girl whom his stern parent did not think a suitable match, Israel decided to run away from home while his family was attending church. He wandered about the countryside, hunting deer, farming land, becoming a trapper, and dealing in furs. During his wanderings, he learned that most men were unscrupulous. He also hunted whales from Nantucket to the coast of Africa.
...[The entire page is 2391 words long]
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