When I was in high school, my American Lit teacher had us read Moby Dick. It was a daunting task at the time, but I have always been glad I did it. There is a scene near the beginning of the novel in which Ishmael, the narrator, finds himself in bed on an icy cold New England night. He explains to the reader that while the blankets on the bed are necessary to keep him warm, he likes to sleep with just his nose exposed to...