Explore Herman Melville’s Legacy at Arrowhead in the Berkshires

The Berkshires in Massachusetts have long been celebrated as a haven for some of America’s most influential writers. Among them, none stands out quite like Herman Melville, renowned for his literary masterpieces such as Moby-Dick and Typee. Visitors can explore Melville’s life and work at Arrowhead, his beautifully preserved home located on Holmes Road in Pittsfield, where he penned significant portions of his acclaimed novel.

Melville, who lived from 1819 to 1891, is primarily known as a novelist. However, his contributions to poetry, particularly in his later years, are profound yet often overlooked. One of his most notable works is Clarel, the longest poem in American literature, comprising over 18,000 lines and spanning 500 pages. As Melville himself stated, “It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation,” a guiding principle that reflects his unique approach to writing.

His poetry often draws from personal experience rather than imagination, positioning him as a participant-poet. Melville’s maritime experiences significantly influenced his work. After various jobs, including as a bank clerk and teacher, he embarked on a life at sea aboard the merchant ship St. Lawrence, traveling from New York to Liverpool. This journey inspired one of his early poems:

“Since as in night’s deck-watch ye show,
Why, lads, so silent here to me,
Your watchmate of times long ago?”

Melville’s pivotal whaling experience aboard the ship Acushnet in 1841 further shaped his literary career. After jumping ship in the Marquesas Islands, he wrote Typee, which captured his adventures among native islanders. The lessons from the sea resonate in Moby-Dick, where Ishmael reflects, “A Whaleship was my Yale College and my Harvard.” This theme extends to his gripping poem about being swallowed by a whale, conveying profound existential anguish.

As the nation grappled with the American Civil War from 1861 to 1865, Melville closely followed the events, despite not serving as a soldier. He published a collection of seventy-two poems titled Battle-Pieces and Aspects of the War, which reflects the conflict’s human cost. One of his most poignant poems from this collection captures the serenity following the Battle of Shiloh:

“Skimming lightly, wheeling still,
The swallows fly low
Over the field in clouded days,
The forest-field of Shiloh.”

A significant personal event for Melville occurred on August 5, 1850, during a picnic on Monument Mountain in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Among the ten men present were literary figures such as Oliver Wendell Holmes and Nathaniel Hawthorne. The rain forced Melville and Hawthorne to take cover together, leading to an immediate and intense intellectual bond that Melville described as “an infinite fraternity of feeling.” Their connection profoundly influenced Melville’s work, with Hawthorne often staying at Arrowhead.

Visitors to Arrowhead can immerse themselves in Melville’s world, viewing his study where he kept a harpoon near the hearth, reportedly used as a poker. The home is adorned with period furnishings, allowing guests to step back in time and appreciate the environment that inspired Melville’s genius.

Despite his literary successes, Melville eventually faced financial difficulties and had to sell Arrowhead, relocating to Manhattan. He took on a job as a customs inspector, earning $4 a day. Yet, he continued to write, creating lyrical verses late into the night. One such poem reflects his enduring spirit:

“Soft as the morning
When South winds blow,
Sweet as peach orchards
When blossoms are seen.”

The legacy of Herman Melville endures not only through his literary works but also through the tangible history preserved at Arrowhead. For those interested in American literature and history, a visit to this historic site offers a unique opportunity to connect with one of the nation’s literary giants.