Реферат: Moby Dick 2 Essay Research Paper Moby

Moby Dick 2 Essay, Research Paper

Moby Dick

The moral ambiguity of the universe is prevalent throughout Melville?s

Moby Dick. 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 principle. The final moments of Moby Dick bring the novel to a terse, abrupt climax.

The mutual destruction of the Pequod and the White Whale, followed by

Ishmael?s epilogue occupies approximately half a dozen pages. Despite

Melville?s previous tendency to methodically detail every aspect of

whaling life, he assumes a concise, almost journalistic approach in the

climax. Note that in these few pages, he makes little attempt to assign

value judgements to the events taking place. Stylistically, his narration

is reduced to brusque, factual phrases using a greater number of

semicolons. By ending the book so curtly, Melville makes a virtually

negligible attempt at denouement, leaving what value judgements exist to

the reader. Ultimately, it is the dichotomy between the respective fortunes of Ishmael

and Ahab that the reader is left with. Herein lies a greater moral

ambiguity than is previously suggested. Although Ishmael is the sole

survivor of the Pequod, it is notable that in his own way, Ahab fulfills

his desire for revenge by ensuring the destruction of the White Whale

alongside his own end. Despite the seeming superiority of Ishmael?s

destiny, Melville does not explicitly indicate so. On the contrary, he

subtly suggests that Ishmael?s survival is lonely and empty upon being

rescued: “It was the devious-cruising Rachel, that in her retracing search

after her missing children, only found another orphan.” (724) That single

instance of the appellation “orphan” as applied to Ishmael speaks volumes

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