Alejandra Saitas
Mr. Raley
American Literature
November 21, 2014
Moby Dick
Moby Dick: The Illusions of Good and Evil
In 1851, upon the publication of Moby Dick, Herman Melville wrote to his friend Nathaniel Hawthorne, “I have written a wicked book and feel as spotless as the lamb.” Melville implies the confidence is derived from Hawthorne understanding his book, “a sense of unspeakable security in me this moment, of your having understood the book” (Melville 604). Hawthorne, a romantic, argued the view that pure good and evil existed. Through his works, Herman Melville expresses his philosophical views on the nature of good and evil. By using tools, such as religious allusions, symbolism, and carefully chosen word choice to illustrate these views. However, Melville’s view are often ambiguous , the symbols are viewed differently by the characters who understand them, varying on their background and beliefs. Also, if any character tried to destroy the force they saw as evil, the endeavor leads to tragedy. Therefore, Melville puts forth the view that good and evil are illusions, created by society and interpreted by individuals, and that to destroy an aspect of ourselves deemed evil by society will ultimately end in utter destruction.
Moby Dick shows Melville’s view of the metaphysical concepts of good and evil. Each person inside the story represents a different values. The Main Character Ahab is depicted as an antichrist, a dark figure. His very name is a biblical reference to a …show more content…
None of the characters represent pure evil or pure goodness. Even Melville 's description of Ahab, whom he repeatedly refers to "monomaniacal," suggesting an amorality or psychosis, is given a chance to be seen as a frail, sympathetic character. When Ahab 's "monomaniac" fate is juxtaposed with that of Ishmael, that moral ambiguity deepens, leaving the reader with an ultimate unclarity of
Mr. Raley
American Literature
November 21, 2014
Moby Dick
Moby Dick: The Illusions of Good and Evil
In 1851, upon the publication of Moby Dick, Herman Melville wrote to his friend Nathaniel Hawthorne, “I have written a wicked book and feel as spotless as the lamb.” Melville implies the confidence is derived from Hawthorne understanding his book, “a sense of unspeakable security in me this moment, of your having understood the book” (Melville 604). Hawthorne, a romantic, argued the view that pure good and evil existed. Through his works, Herman Melville expresses his philosophical views on the nature of good and evil. By using tools, such as religious allusions, symbolism, and carefully chosen word choice to illustrate these views. However, Melville’s view are often ambiguous , the symbols are viewed differently by the characters who understand them, varying on their background and beliefs. Also, if any character tried to destroy the force they saw as evil, the endeavor leads to tragedy. Therefore, Melville puts forth the view that good and evil are illusions, created by society and interpreted by individuals, and that to destroy an aspect of ourselves deemed evil by society will ultimately end in utter destruction.
Moby Dick shows Melville’s view of the metaphysical concepts of good and evil. Each person inside the story represents a different values. The Main Character Ahab is depicted as an antichrist, a dark figure. His very name is a biblical reference to a …show more content…
None of the characters represent pure evil or pure goodness. Even Melville 's description of Ahab, whom he repeatedly refers to "monomaniacal," suggesting an amorality or psychosis, is given a chance to be seen as a frail, sympathetic character. When Ahab 's "monomaniac" fate is juxtaposed with that of Ishmael, that moral ambiguity deepens, leaving the reader with an ultimate unclarity of