SafePlants

White-Jacket

The text refers to "White-Jacket, or The World in a Man-of-War," a novel by Herman Melville published in 1850. The story is semi-biographical, based on Melville's experiences as a sailor aboard a U.S. frigate.

Considerations for Children

• The text mentions "lightweight children's coats and jackets," suggesting the existence of White Jackets designed for children.

Nomenclature

• Title: White-Jacket, or The World in a Man-of-War
• Author: Herman Melville

Historical Context

• The book was written in 1849 and published in 1850.
• It draws upon Melville's memories of his time aboard the USS frigate Neversink between 1834 and 1844.

Subject Matter

• The novel explores the social hierarchy and life aboard a U.S. warship.
• The protagonist, an unnamed American sailor, is nicknamed "White-Jacket" due to a distinctive jacket he wears.

Quirky Facts

• Melville wrote "White-Jacket" in a mere two months in a desperate attempt to alleviate financial hardship.
• The protagonist's jacket is made from leftover scraps of rags.

Cultural Significance

• The text suggests that the book examines the meaning of the characters by using the man-of-war as a microcosm.

Modern Interpretations

• "White Jacket" is also used as a brand name for various products, including clothing (particularly white jackets and blazers) and even a design studio.

References

• The book has been digitized by Google from the library of the University of Michigan and uploaded to the Internet Archive.