The World in Time / Lapham’s Quarterly

“Father Mapple is in some strange, almost obscure way, a kind of negative double for Ahab,” says novelist and critic Charles Baxter in this episode of The World in Time. “Like Ahab, he is speaking from a great height. He begins his sermon by issuing orders. He tells all the congregants to sit down. And, you know, they have to listen to him. What other choice do they have? But what is important to me in ‘The Sermon’ is that he—how can I put this? He is the person who wants to bring a sense of proportion. And Ahab is the person who wants you to give up any sense of proportionality. It’s almost impossible to put things into perspective with Ahab. Father Mapple kind of supplies a warning and a possible lens for a reading of the entire novel. What Mapple is saying in his sermon, starting from the Book of Jonah, is that we have to learn humility. It is no use to flee from God. God will find us. And the last paragraph of ‘The Sermon’ is one of the most beautiful things, I think, that Melville ever wrote.” Charles Baxter, author most recently of Blood Test: A Comedy and Wonderlands: Essays on the Life of Literature, visits The World in Time to talk with Donovan Hohn about the politics and the mysteries of charisma in Moby-Dick. The conversation dwells on Chapter 9: “The Sermon,” in which Father Mapple, from his cockpit of a pulpit, pilots a congregation of New Bedford whalers through the theological storms of the Book of Jonah. Baxter and Hohn consider whether the novel affirms what Father Mapple preaches. They contrast his humble leadership with Captain Ahab’s narcissistic yet magnetic charisma. And they consider what both Ahab and a showman like P.T. Barnum might reveal about the charismatic confidence men who command our attention and our country today.

“They were against all categories,” says Nicholas Boggs of James Baldwin and the men he loved in this week’s episode of The World in Time. “They really were outsiders, all of them. Sometimes people think, oh, well, he was just drawn to these men who were essentially straight, like he had some kind of complex or something. Maybe. But he was also just drawn to these crazy outsiders. As Yoran Cazac put it, they were ‘eating the same substance,’ and they happened to be of different nationalities and races and even sexualities. I appreciate that they had these complicated relationships where they saw each other across difference for who they were and what they shared. It’s what sustained Baldwin. It’s what enabled him to write. It’s what he wrote about.” This week on the podcast, Donovan Hohn speaks with biographer Nicholas Boggs about Baldwin: A Love Story, a book three decades in the making. The episode follows James Baldwin on his transatlantic commutes, introducing listeners to four formative—and transformative—friendships with “crazy outsiders” that sustained Baldwin and that organize this new biography. We meet painter Beauford Delaney, the “spiritual father” and artistic mentor Baldwin found in Greenwich Village. In post-war Paris, we meet Lucien Happersberger, the Swiss émigré who would become Baldwin’s lover, muse, and lifelong friend. We meet Engin Cezzar, the “blood brother” who created for Baldwin a home in Istanbul. Finally, Boggs introduces us to Yoran Cazac, the French painter with whom Baldwin collaborated on his “child’s story for adults,” Little Man, Little Man, which Boggs helped bring back into print. Along the way, Boggs and Hohn dwell on the meaning of love in Baldwin’s life and work, and on his yearning for a home “by the side of the mountain, on the edge of the sea.” Hohn and Boggs also spend time with Otto Friedrich, who befriended Baldwin during his Paris years and would become Lewis Lapham’s editor and mentor. The episode concludes with a selection of entries about Baldwin from the journal Friedrich kept in 1949

Join writer and biographer James Marcus, known for his insightful work on Ralph Waldo Emerson, as he explores the dynamic relationship between Emerson and Melville. The discussion unveils the contrasting literary styles of these titans and delves into Emerson's multifaceted identity, echoing his transcendentalist beliefs. Marcus highlights the importance of reevaluating timeless quotes, while also exposing the philosophical tensions in Melville's characters. The conversation culminates in an examination of individualism versus community, showcasing Emerson's evolving understanding of interconnectedness.

Matthew Hollis, a poet and translator of The Seafarer, shares insights on this poignant 10th-century Anglo-Saxon poem. He discusses the emotional turmoil of isolation at sea and the timeless themes of belonging and moral choices, resonating deeply with modern audiences. The conversation explores the poem’s improbable survival and its rich soundscape, enhanced by multimedia elements. Hollis also reflects on the challenges of translating ancient poetry while preserving its musicality and depth, emphasizing the cultural significance of the sea in Anglo-Saxon society.

Francine Prose, the editor-at-large of The Quarterly and acclaimed author, dives deep into Melville's Moby Dick, particularly its iconic first chapter, 'Loomings.' She passionately argues why 'Call me Ishmael' is a masterclass in narrative authority. Prose and host Donovan Hohn explore Ishmael’s complex character, the influence of American sermons on Melville's style, and the themes of solitude, freedom, and friendship illustrated through nautical imagery. Their riveting analysis reveals layers of meaning that resonate with both literary heritage and contemporary relevance.

Roger Berkowitz, a writer and academic director at the Hannah Arendt Center, takes a deep dive into the thoughts of Hannah Arendt and Henry David Thoreau on civil disobedience. He distinguishes between living under tyranny versus totalitarianism, emphasizing the necessity of political action for freedom. Their discussions illuminate the contrast between individual dissent and collective action. Berkowitz also reflects on Arendt's critical views of American politics and the role of citizen assemblies in promoting active democracy.

Join writers Wyatt Mason, Richard J. King, and Aaron Sachs as they dive deep into the layers of 'Moby Dick.' Wyatt reflects on the emotional connection readers have with the whale, while Richard discusses Ahab’s tumultuous relationship with the sea. Aaron analyzes Melville’s influence on modern literature and environmental narratives. The conversation touches on teaching Melville to incarcerated students, showcasing the novel’s timeless relevance. Explore the intricate blend of humor and seriousness in Melville’s work, making it resonate with contemporary challenges.

Daniel Mendelsohn, a writer and translator known for his insights into classical literature, shares his journey of translating The Odyssey, exploring themes of identity and transformation. He reflects on how Odysseus, after years away, grapples with reconciling his past self with who he's become. Lewis H. Lapham, founder of Lapham's Quarterly, adds depth with nostalgic reflections on Moby-Dick and his seafaring experiences. Together, they draw fascinating parallels between ancient texts and modern life, unpacking the enduring impact of literary journeys.

In this engaging discussion, scholar-essayist Justin Smith-Ruiu, an expert on psychedelics and philosophy, explores how drugs transitioned from cultural artifacts to modern commodities. He dives into the history of consciousness and auto-experimentation. Poet Rachel Richardson reflects on motherhood and the powerful imagery of California, particularly in light of environmental challenges. Their dialogue weaves through the emotional fabric of music, art, and shared human experiences, shedding light on the complexities of identity and perception in a transforming landscape.

Ben Tarnoff, a writer and technologist known for his book on Mark Twain, dives into Twain's literary evolution in 1860s San Francisco, highlighting how the frontier experience shaped his voice and laid the groundwork for stand-up comedy. Meanwhile, John Jeremiah Sullivan discusses Twain's cultural revival and shares a fascinating discovery: a lost eulogy and its writer, Adele Amelia Gleason. Together, they explore the intertwining of humor, literary ambition, and the rich tapestry of American identity forged in that vibrant era.