- description
- # CHAPTER XVI. Media And Babbalanja Discourse
## Overview
This chapter, titled "Media And Babbalanja Discourse," is part of the novel [Mardi: And a Voyage Thither](arke:01KG8AJ8ZNB03D0FWFP362WQEN). It was extracted from the file `mardi_vol2.txt` and is part of the larger collection [Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW). The chapter spans from line 1846 to 1903.
## Context
This chapter follows "CHAPTER XV. Dreams" and precedes "CHAPTER XVII. They Regale Themselves With Their Pipes." The narrative describes a conversation between Babbalanja and Media, where Media advises Babbalanja against engaging in serious philosophical discourse in social settings, suggesting that such topics often lead to discomfort and insincerity among people. Media emphasizes the importance of maintaining a lighthearted and conventional approach to social interaction, even when harboring deeper thoughts.
## Contents
The chapter details a discussion where Babbalanja wishes to seriously discuss recent observations, but Media dissuades him, arguing that certain topics are best avoided in polite society. Media's advice to Babbalanja highlights the social pressures and conventions that discourage open philosophical inquiry, particularly concerning deeply held beliefs. The chapter concludes with Babbalanja, Mohi, and Yoomy falling into a state of deep, somber meditation.
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- CHAPTER XVI. Media And Babbalanja Discourse
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- 1903
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- 2026-01-30T20:47:38.723Z
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- start_line
- 1846
- text
- CHAPTER XVI.
Media And Babbalanja Discourse
Our visiting the Pontiff at a time previously unforeseen, somewhat
altered our plans. All search in Maramma for the lost one proving
fruitless, and nothing of note remaining to be seen, we returned not to
Uma; but proceeded with the tour of the lagoon.
When day came, reclining beneath the canopy, Babbalanja would fain have
seriously discussed those things we had lately been seeing, which, for
all the occasional levity he had recently evinced, seemed very near his
heart.
But my lord Media forbade; saying that they necessarily included a
topic which all gay, sensible Mardians, who desired to live and be
merry, invariably banished from social discourse.
“Meditate as much as you will, Babbalanja, but say little aloud, unless
in a merry and mythical way. Lay down the great maxims of things, but
let inferences take care of themselves. Never be special; never, a
partisan. In safety, afar off, you may batter down a fortress; but at
your peril you essay to carry a single turret by escalade. And if
doubts distract you, in vain will you seek sympathy from your fellow
men. For upon this one theme, not a few of you free-minded mortals,
even the otherwise honest and intelligent, are the least frank and
friendly. Discourse with them, and it is mostly formulas, or
prevarications, or hollow assumption of philosophical indifference, or
urbane hypocrisies, or a cool, civil deference to the dominant belief;
or still worse, but less common, a brutality of indiscriminate
skepticism. Furthermore, Babbalanja, on this head, final, last thoughts
you mortals have none; nor can have; and, at bottom, your own fleeting
fancies are too often secrets to yourselves; and sooner may you get
another’s secret, than your own. Thus with the wisest of you all; you
are ever unfixed. Do you show a tropical calm without? then, be sure a
thousand contrary currents whirl and eddy within. The free, airy robe
of your philosophy is but a dream, which seems true while it lasts; but
waking again into the orthodox world, straightway you resume the old
habit. And though in your dreams you may hie to the uttermost Orient,
yet all the while you abide where you are. Babbalanja, you mortals
dwell in Mardi, and it is impossible to get elsewhere.”
Said Babbalanja, “My lord, you school me. But though I dissent from
some of your positions, I am willing to confess, that this is not the
first time a philosopher has been instructed by a man.”
“A demi-god, sir; and therefore I the more readily discharge my mind of
all seriousness, touching the subject, with which you mortals so vex
and torment yourselves.”
Silence ensued. And seated apart, on both sides of the barge, solemnly
swaying, in fixed meditation, to the roll of the waves, Babbalanja,
Mohi, and Yoomy, drooped lower and lower, like funeral plumes; and our
gloomy canoe seemed a hearse.
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- CHAPTER XVI. Media And Babbalanja Discourse