Ahab's Whale of Malice

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer discusses that one of the most attractive, yet mad aspects of the character of Ahab in Herman Melville's Moby Dick is the way that Ahab seems to attribute morality and intelligent design to the natural world, as embodied in the persona of the white whale Moby Dick. The writer explains that Ahab lost his leg to Moby Dick long ago, and he is determined the whale will pay for this transgression. Ahab is so bent upon his quest in avenging himself against nature that even when he admits that the whale may not have intended to take his leg it does not matter. The writer notes that Ahab says human beings must act as though life has meaning, even though life may be arbitrary and meaningless.

From the Paper:

"In other words, there may be a moral intelligence behind animals like the whale, in Ahab's view, and God or some intelligent force is acting behind the manipulation of the objects or pasteboard creations. After all, God gave the whale many human-like characteristics, like the need to be warm and the need to breathe above water, even though God also gave the whale the ability to do these things naturally, without recourse to culture like blankets and breathing apparatus. And Ahab believes that because Moby Dick deprived him of his leg, he must act as if there is moral, intelligent design and reason to the universe, and take vengeance upon either the whale itself or upon the forces or being that gave the whale the power to act against his leg."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Melville, Herman. Moby Dick. Complete e-Text from The Online Library. 8 May 2007. http://www.online-literature.com/melville/mobydick/

More papers on Ahab's Whale of Malice:

• Film Review # 131259 : "Critical Analysis of "Malice"
• Essay # 11055 : "Absence of Malice"
• Book Review # 110560 : "Ahab Says of Himself"

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