“In Honor, as in Limb, Unmarred”: Obsession with the “Whole” Body in Herman Melville’s Battle-Pieces and Aspects of the War

This article examines Herman Melville’s poetry collection Battle-Pieces and Aspects of the War (1866) using theories concepts from sphere disability studies. Mobilizing evidence letters as well close readings poems, I argue that Melville presented a complicated relationship to questions bodily wholeness autonomy in his written work, particularly response political existential stresses U.S. Civil War. conceptualized chronological archive intended redeem narrative overcome perceived weakness or deficiency body politic. However, book’s fractured arc serves rather highlight lack healing, both corporeal. obsession with “whole” is apparent unpublished, private writing through poems “Donelson,” “The College Colonel,” others. Reading lens studies makes visible author’s conflicted responses wounded bodies. healing was part larger national obsession—that mending rift between North South by tending physical wounds individual veterans—a historico-medical context scholars have largely ignored. Placing within conversation about medical intervention limits ‘disabled’ symbol for regeneration, this show how overtly engaged ongoing debates nation-building aftermath