Moby Dick
I. Biographical Insights
A. The culture this great author was a part of was the time in American history
where inspiring works of literature began to emerge. It was also a time when
American writers had not completely separated its literary heritage from Europe,
partly because there were successful literary genius' flourishing there.
B. Herman Melville was born on August 1, 1819, he was the son of Allan and Maria
Melville. During Herman's childhood he lived in the “good” neighborhoods of New
York City. In 1832 Herman suffered tragedy when his father died after trying to
cope with the stress of debts and misfortunes. After a short time in a business
house in New York City, Herman determined he needed to go to sea. He spent
years traveling on a variety of ships, including whaling ships.
C1. Melville's perspective on life is that God created the universe with an
infinite number of meanings and man is always trying to determine one specific
meaning.
D2. The “lessons” that Melville is likely to weave into his writing are 1. An
exposition on whales and the whaling industry. 2. A commentary on the universe
and human destiny. 3. Thoughts about God and Nature.
III. Characters
B. The protagonist in this book is Ishmael, a Christian, schoolteacher and part-
time sailor. Ishmael's role in the hunt for “Moby Dick” is to interpret what is
happening. He discusses his reasons for going to sea and interprets and looks
for understanding a number of reasons for any specific action where other
characters only understand one reason.
C. It is hard to say what changes take place in Ishmael's personality, since he
is the narrator he doesn't talk about himself, he only talks about what he sees.
D1. Ishmael befriends Queequeg who is a cannibal. Even though Queequeg is very
ugly Ishmael sees that Queequeg has an honest heart, great honor, and a lot of
courage. This friendship had a positive influence on Ishmael's behavior because
it taught him not to judge on outward appearances.
E2. Another relationship that was very short was the relationship between
Ishmael and Captain Ahab. For the first few days aboard the Pequod Ishmael
always saw Ahab in the shadows. When Ishmael finally saw Ahab he had shivers
run through his body. Ishmael felt Ahab's attitude of determination, dedication
and hatred towards “Moby Dick” in Ahab's appearance. This relationship was a
negative relationship because Ishmael now feared Ahab and did not want to
become friends with such an evil person.
F. The conflict that Ishmael experienced was that he saw how Ahab was such an
Ishmael was a normal 12 year old boy in a small village in Sierra Leone when his life took a dramatic turn and he was forced into a war. War has very serious side effects for all involved and definitely affected the way Ishmael views the world today. He endured and saw stuff that most people will never see in a lifetime let alone as a young child. Ishmael was shaped between the forced use of drugs, the long road to recovery and the loss of innocence of his
Throughout the course of this novel, Ishmael Beah keeps the readers on the edge of their seat by incorporating interchanging tones. At the beginning of the novel, the tone can be depicted as naïve, for Beah was unaware to what was actually occurring with the rebels. Eventually, the tone shifts to being very cynical and dark when he depicts the fighting he has endured both physically and mentally. However, the most game changing tone is towards the end of the novel in chapters nineteen and twenty. His tone can be understood as independent or prevailing. It can be portrayed as independent because Beah learns how to survive on his own and to take care of himself. At the same time, it is perceived as prevailing and uplifting because Beah was able to demonstrate that there is hope. Later in the novel, Beah travels to
Ishmael kills people without it being a big problem or deal. He was forced and threatened. If not then he would be killed. First, he was terrified to see people being killed. In the book, Ishmael quotes “My hand began trembling uncontrollably…” This shows that Ishmael is being aware of his surroundings and of himself. This is important because it shows how Ishmael feels before he and his
Ishmael’s search for revenge ended when he was taken out of the front lines of the war by
Moby Dick is one of the greatest books written in American literature but when it was first made, Herman Melville was shamed for writing it and hated. After a while Moby Dick was noticed from being a book everyone hated to one of the most popular pieces of literature now. The title Moby Dick is known by almost everyone in America. Originally Moby Dick was called The Whale that was originally published in 1851 but was changed to Moby Dick in a later date. The book starts out with a very famous line called “call me ishmael” which was the name of the main character/narrator who goes out to sea as a merchant and wants to go on a whale adventure. Captain Ahab gathers his crew to hunt down Moby Dick even though they were supposed to go to get oil
Laskowski, Gene L. Masculine Sentimentality in the Early Novels of Herman Melville. Diss. University of Michigan, 1993. Ann Arbor: University Microfilms International, 1993. Print.
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In brief, steroids should be legalized in professional sports for they can make the games a more exciting experience for society. Also, if all the athletes took steroids all the players would play equally. Sports fans can see who truly is the best player and their true potential. Under proper doctor supervision, steroids can be injected safely. Steroid doping and other have become the biggest scourge of professional sports leagues, and that’s why it may be time they were made legal. Athletes are never going to stop intaking the drugs and banning the drugs in sports will never be successful. We can all choose whether or not to improve and to be the better person or to stay normal.
McIntosh, James. "The Mariner's Multiple Quest." New Essays on Moby-Dick or, the Whale. ed. Richard H. Brodhead. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1986.