Literary Analysis of Moby Dick
Literary Analysis | Moby Dick | | Jordan Fleming | 10/22/2012 |
This paper is a literary analysis of the book, Moby Dick. In it is discussed three symbols that are used in the novel. |
In the book Moby Dick, Herman Melville uses a lot of symbols that show through his characters. One of the big characters in the book was Captain Ahab. Ahab was an obvious symbol of evil. This character demonstrated a personality of someone who seeks vengeance and revenge, two things bunched together with evil. Another symbol in this book was Starbuck, Ahab’s first mate. He consistently shows logic and reason throughout the story. The last symbol that will be discussed is the symbol that the great white whale, Moby Dick, represents. Moby Dick represents the opposite of Ahab, which is good. Moby Dick is trying to get away throughout the story, and does not ever act hostile until he gets pushed too far. These are the three major symbols in this novel. Captain Ahab is not only one of the main characters in the story but is also one of the main symbols that Melville uses in this novel. Throughout the story, Ahab devotes all his time and energy to chasing the white whale. However, Ahab’s crew does not realize that he is chasing the whale for revenge until later in the story. Ahab is also stubborn and rude to anyone that tries to make him see reason. It is shown in his actions and in his words that he lives for revenge on the white whale. Captain Ahab can be no other symbol but evil. Starbuck, Ahab’s first mate, is another big symbol used in this story. From the time they set sail to go whaling, Starbuck is ever watchful of Ahab. When Ahab does something he thinks is wrong, Starbuck tries to get him to reason and do the logical thing. Towards the end of the story, Ahab is chasing the white whale and Starbuck tries to get him to do the logical thing. Starbuck shows Ahab his wrong doings and tries to get him to change, even though he doesn’t. Starbuck is two symbols,
This paper is a literary analysis of the book, Moby Dick. In it is discussed three symbols that are used in the novel. |
In the book Moby Dick, Herman Melville uses a lot of symbols that show through his characters. One of the big characters in the book was Captain Ahab. Ahab was an obvious symbol of evil. This character demonstrated a personality of someone who seeks vengeance and revenge, two things bunched together with evil. Another symbol in this book was Starbuck, Ahab’s first mate. He consistently shows logic and reason throughout the story. The last symbol that will be discussed is the symbol that the great white whale, Moby Dick, represents. Moby Dick represents the opposite of Ahab, which is good. Moby Dick is trying to get away throughout the story, and does not ever act hostile until he gets pushed too far. These are the three major symbols in this novel. Captain Ahab is not only one of the main characters in the story but is also one of the main symbols that Melville uses in this novel. Throughout the story, Ahab devotes all his time and energy to chasing the white whale. However, Ahab’s crew does not realize that he is chasing the whale for revenge until later in the story. Ahab is also stubborn and rude to anyone that tries to make him see reason. It is shown in his actions and in his words that he lives for revenge on the white whale. Captain Ahab can be no other symbol but evil. Starbuck, Ahab’s first mate, is another big symbol used in this story. From the time they set sail to go whaling, Starbuck is ever watchful of Ahab. When Ahab does something he thinks is wrong, Starbuck tries to get him to reason and do the logical thing. Towards the end of the story, Ahab is chasing the white whale and Starbuck tries to get him to do the logical thing. Starbuck shows Ahab his wrong doings and tries to get him to change, even though he doesn’t. Starbuck is two symbols,