Research Paper On Moby Dick

Research Paper Moby Dick Many people would look at Moby Dick as a monstrosity of a book filled with nothing but nonsense. When I first started this novel, I had the same mindset. I viewed the book from a material angle, whereas there is a much deeper meaning intended by Melville. As I continued reading, these themes and symbols began to pop out and finally make sense. The author progresses the plot and adds depth to the novel by using symbolism. These symbols are either objects or things to the regular reader, however, to the advanced reader, they mean much more and have deeper meaning. As famous as Moby Dick is, many do not know that Moby Dick is the whale, and is also one of the most prominent symbols in literature. Even though it is arguably
It only becomes evident near the ending of the novel, but it does become very prominent. Throughout the novel Ahab seems akin to death. He becomes somewhat obsessed with the idea of death and how beneficial it could be for his own purposes. Strangely enough, this leads up to his very own death late on in the novel. An overlaying symbol connecting the overlying theme of death is Queequeg’s coffin. When it is first mentioned, it is representing the theme of the idea that death is always impending. Melville strongly drives the thought of death always coming closer and closer every day lived. The coffin’s meaning changes after Queequeg’s decision changes in Moby Dick. He decides to continue living his life and therefore his coffin represents his choice to live and the new him coming out of this decision. Going along with the idea of a new life, Queequeg’s coffin serves as a life preserver for Ishmael until he can come to terms with a new
After analyzing these once minute topics, and discovering they were so much more than I had thought has opened my mind up to many other novels. The author beautifully weaves these underlying messages into the baseline of the story. One could read this novel without picking up on one hint of symbolism. Whereas, on the other end of the spectrum there could possibly be “symbols” that weren’t intended but were perceived as heavily invested. This is the great thing about novels in which authors strategically place symbolism. People can either find the intended purpose or they can make their very own ideas and