The Wake of the Gods: Melville's Mythology is a book-length literary critique of selected works written by American author Herman Melville. This book was written by the American cultural historian and scholar H. Bruce Franklin, and published by Stanford University Press in 1963.
The central thesis is that Herman Melville consciously and extensively used myths and mythologies from various cultures in his major works. According to the book, Melville also demonstrates creating his own mythology. Franklin demonstrates that Melville was deeply knowledgeable about comparative mythology, drawing on sources ranging from Meso-American to Sanskrit, as well from Egypt and Ireland. This knowledge provided a framework for his literary creations. Regarding reinterpreting major works, the book re-examines several of Melville's most important works through a mythological lens, including:
Franklin says that Melville, through his work, was not simply retelling myths but was actively constructing a new mythology. This new mythology was a way for Melville to understand and critique the dominant cultural values of 19th-century America, including its fascination with technology and militarism.
Additionally, Brian Yothers, says in Chapter Three of the book entitled Melville's Mirrors (2011) that:
The main narrative consists of a Preface and eight chapters. This is followed by a selected index of non-Judaic-Christian gods. The chapter titles are:
Brian Yothers, says in Chapter Three of the book Melville's Mirrors that this book's author's "readings of Mardi, Moby-Dick, The Confidence-Man, and Billy Budd were a revelation... and remain among the finest readings of MelvilleâÂÂs work in relation to world religions.