--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: been forgotten, but his longest novel…" description: "\"“been forgotten, but his longest novel, Moby-Dick — largely considered a failure during his lifetime, and responsible for Melville's drop in popularity..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf3/herman-melville-162_books_been-forgotten-but-his-longest-novel-mob_1894728.jpg" --- # been forgotten, but his longest novel, Moby-Dick — largely… ![“been forgotten, but his longest novel, Moby-Dick — largely considered a failure during his lifetime, and responsible for Melville's drop in popularity — was rediscovered in the 20th century as a literary masterpiece. Source: Wikipedia” quote by Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf3/herman-melville-162_books_been-forgotten-but-his-longest-novel-mob_1894728.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf3/herman-melville-162_books_been-forgotten-but-his-longest-novel-mob_1894728.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf3/herman-melville-162_books_been-forgotten-but-his-longest-novel-mob_1894728.jpg) > ““been forgotten, but his longest novel, Moby-Dick — largely considered a failure during his lifetime, and responsible for Melville's drop in popularity — was rediscovered in the 20th century as a literary masterpiece. Source: Wikipedia”” [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The novel was dismissed in its era but later recognized as a masterpiece, reshaping the author's legacy. **In simple terms:** Initially ignored, later celebrated. Key Takeaway Reevaluate dismissed works for hidden value. Themes literature legacy reassessment Mood reflective thoughtful Type literary historical When to use this quote - academic study - book clubs - author reputation - literary criticism Key Concepts canonical status cultural shift Questions to Reflect On - What overlooked work could change your view? - How does time alter artistic judgment? A Different Perspective Modern acclaim may overlook contemporary relevance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Forgotten Longest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgotten-longest-2759527/) [Longest Novel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/longest-novel-2759525/) [Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/melville/) [Moby Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moby-dick/) [Novel Moby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novel-moby-2759526/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) ## Related quotes > [“Herman Melville (August 1, 1819 – September 28, 1891) was an American novelist, short story writer, essayist, and poet. His earliest novels were bestsellers,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/herman-melville-august-1-1819-september-28-1891-was-an-american/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“Now the various species of whales need some sort of popular comprehensive classification, if only an easy outline one for the present, hereafter to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/now-the-various-species-of-whales-need-some-sort-of-popular/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“MOBY DICK; OR THE WHALE by Herman Melville CHAPTER 1 Loomings Call me Ishmael. Some years ago—never mind how long precisely— having little or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/moby-dick-or-the-whale-by-herman-melville-chapter-1-loomings-call-me/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“But Moby-Dick is the explanation of America. It’s not just a novel. It is a book of prophecy. It is the book. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-stone/but-moby-dick-is-the-explanation-of-america-it-s-not-just-a-novel-it/) [Robert Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-stone/) > [“When one reads, and re-reads, Moby Dick , it seems to me that one gets a more convincing, a more definite, impression of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/when-one-reads-and-re-reads-moby-dick-it-seems-to-me-that-one-gets-a/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [“Herman Melville, the author of Moby-Dick, largely withdrew from public life for thirty years. “All profound things,” he wrote, “are preceded and attended by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-finkel/herman-melville-the-author-of-moby-dick-largely-withdrew-from-public/) [Michael Finkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-finkel/) > [“Ahab is for ever Ahab, man. This whole act's immutably decreed. 'Twas rehearsed by thee and me a billion years before this ocean rolled.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/ahab-is-for-ever-ahab-man-this-whole-act-s-immutably-decreed-twas/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“They have provided a system which for terse comprehensiveness surpasses Justinian's Pandects and the By-laws of the Chinese Society for the Suppression of Meddling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/they-have-provided-a-system-which-for-terse-comprehensiveness/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“Call me Ishmael. Some years ago--never mind how long precisely--having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/call-me-ishmael-some-years-ago-never-mind-how-long-precisely-having/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“It was a black and hooded head; and hanging there in the midst of so intense a calm, it seemed the Sphynx’s in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/it-was-a-black-and-hooded-head-and-hanging-there-in-the-midst-of-so/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“Of erections how few are domed like St. Peter's! of creatures, how few vast as the whale!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/of-erections-how-few-are-domed-like-st-peter-s-of-creatures-how-few/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“How I snuffed that Tartar air!--how I spurned that turnpike earth!--that common highway all over dented with the marks of slavish heels and hoofs;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/how-i-snuffed-that-tartar-air-how-i-spurned-that-turnpike-earth-that/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“Moby Dick doesn't bite so much as he swallows.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/moby-dick-doesn-t-bite-so-much-as-he-swallows/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“I do not know where I can find a better place than just here, to make mention of one or two other things, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/i-do-not-know-where-i-can-find-a-better-place-than-just-here-to-make/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“There you stand, lost in the infinite series of the sea, with nothing ruffled but the waves. The tranced ship indolently rolls; the drowsy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/there-you-stand-lost-in-the-infinite-series-of-the-sea-with-nothing/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) ## More by Herman Melville > [“and man, though idiotic, and knowing not what he does, yet full of the sweet things of love and gratitude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/and-man-though-idiotic-and-knowing-not-what-he-does-yet-full-of-the/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“But were the coming narrative to reveal in any instance, the complete abasement of poor Starbuck's fortitude, scarce might I have the heart to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/but-were-the-coming-narrative-to-reveal-in-any-instance-the-complete/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“(On Ralph Waldo Emerson)I love all men who dive. Any fish can swim near the surface, but it takes a great whale to go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/on-ralph-waldo-emerson-i-love-all-men-who-dive-any-fish-can-swim-near/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“So seemed it to me, as I stood at her helm, and for long hours silently guided the way of this fire-ship on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/so-seemed-it-to-me-as-i-stood-at-her-helm-and-for-long-hours-silently/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“the only real owner of anything is its commander;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/the-only-real-owner-of-anything-is-its-commander/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“Consider the subtleness of the sea; how its most dreaded creatures glide under water, unapparent for the most part, and treacherously hidden beneath the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/consider-the-subtleness-of-the-sea-how-its-most-dreaded-creatures/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“Is it that by its indefiniteness it shadows forth the heartless voids and immensities of the universe, and thus stabs us from behind with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/is-it-that-by-its-indefiniteness-it-shadows-forth-the-heartless-voids/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“Now, as I before hinted, I have no objection to any person's religion, be it what it may, so long as that person does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/now-as-i-before-hinted-i-have-no-objection-to-any-person-s-religion/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [Let America first praise mediocrity even, in her children, before she praises... the best excellence in the children of any other land.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/let-america-first-praise-mediocrity-even-in-her-children-before-she/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [Only the man who says no is free](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/only-the-man-who-says-no-is-free/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [Beneath those stars is a universe of gliding monsters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/beneath-those-stars-is-a-universe-of-gliding-monsters/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“Yet this is life. For hardly have we mortals by long toilings extracted from this world's vast bulk its small but valuable sperm; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/yet-this-is-life-for-hardly-have-we-mortals-by-long-toilings/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [I never fancied broiling fowls; - though once broiled, judiciously buttered, and judgmatically salted and peppered, there is no one who will speak more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/i-never-fancied-broiling-fowls-though-once-broiled-judiciously/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [War should be carried on like a monsoon; one changeless determination of every particle towards the one unalterable aim.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/war-should-be-carried-on-like-a-monsoon-one-changeless-determination/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [Genius is full of trash.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/genius-is-full-of-trash/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) [Explore all 1,009 Herman Melville quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) ## More Books quotes > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [If I had a dollar for every time I couldn’t sleep, I could buy a billion locks and finally read a book in peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop-rock/if-i-had-a-dollar-for-every-time-i-couldn-t-sleep-i-could-buy-a/) [Aesop Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop-rock/) > [If what I write is literature, I guess you'd better emphasize the 'litter.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lydia-lunch/if-what-i-write-is-literature-i-guess-you-d-better-emphasize-the/) [Lydia Lunch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lydia-lunch/) > [My sentences got sharper and my stories more efficient, and I gradually learned to imagine the reader more clearly and to empathize with that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-thompson-walker/my-sentences-got-sharper-and-my-stories-more-efficient-and-i/) [Karen Thompson Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-thompson-walker/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [“Within the pages of books, I've journeyed to Mandalay, the Milky Way and Santa Fe, without once having to leave my armchair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-ansbro/within-the-pages-of-books-i-ve-journeyed-to-mandalay-the-milky-way/) [Kevin Ansbro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-ansbro/) > [The Rosary is the book of the blind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/the-rosary-is-the-book-of-the-blind/) [Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/) > [“Tacitus did not write a most dangerous book. His readers made it so.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-k-krebs/tacitus-did-not-write-a-most-dangerous-book-his-readers-made-it-so/) [Christopher K. Krebs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-k-krebs/) > [“Take some books and read; that’s an immense help; and books are always good company if you have the right sort.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louisa-may-alcott/take-some-books-and-read-that-s-an-immense-help-and-books-are-always/) [Louisa May Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louisa-may-alcott/) > [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [I have many who keep me going, I am very fortunate in this sense. There is nothing like a child who knows more about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/floyd-cooper/i-have-many-who-keep-me-going-i-am-very-fortunate-in-this-sense-there/) [Floyd Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/floyd-cooper/) > [I think books in which people are really happy and things are going well are probably the most challenging novels there are to write,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/i-think-books-in-which-people-are-really-happy-and-things-are-going/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [It's like the query letter problem that I just mentioned, magnified a hundredfold. You might be good at telling a story, but that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/it-s-like-the-query-letter-problem-that-i-just-mentioned-magnified-a/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [“Be careful about reading health books. 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