Unmasking the Lightning-Rod Man

Abstract

Abstract:“The Lightning-Rod Man” has been studied by many critics and admired both as a biting allegorical satire of religious orthodoxy and a humorous story in the traveling salesman genre. While Jay Leyda documented that Herman Melville was actually visited by a local salesman the identity of this person and the specific lightning rod he peddled have never been addressed until this study. Along with the salesman’s visit other local historical events and personages are revealed to help understand Melville’s sources in composing the salesman’s tale.