Mythology in "Moby Dick"

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the common themes in mythology reflecting the fears, emotions and flaws of the human mind as well as the classic struggle against horrible creatures with the power and potential to destroy those who are unfortunate enough to cross paths with the beasts. The paper specifically focuses on the mythological story of "Moby Dick" by Herman Melville. It discusses not only Moby Dick as a horrible creature, but also the obsession that Ahab has with the whale and his view of it as the root of all evil in the world.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Ahab's Obsession Explained
What Moby Dick Represents Symbolically
Moby Dick as Mythological Creature
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"More than just a whale, even the most horrible whale that ever existed, Moby Dick symbolizes much more in this story. Again, Ahab has made the whale the symbol of all of the problems he has ever encountered, and feels that by killing the whale, he will gain true emotional freedom. Obviously, it is impossible for a whale to have caused all of these problems for a human being, but in portraying the whale this way, Ahab is also shown as a symbol in himself. In this instance, Ahab can be viewed as all of the hatred and ignorance of man, represented in one physical being. If, as is intended, the story of "Moby Dick" is to be interpreted as mythology, then Ahab can be seen as a symbol for negative human emotions and reactions to the world around them, just as much earlier tales of mythology used various gods and even inanimate objects or forces of nature to represent something else."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bercovitch, Sacvan, and Myra Jehlen, eds. Ideology and Classic American Literature. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 1987.
• Cahir, Linda Costanzo. Solitude and Society in the Works of Herman Melville and Edith Wharton. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1999.
• Gale, Robert L. A Herman Melville Encyclopedia. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1995.
• Gupta, R.K. "Moby-Dick and Schopenhauer." International Fiction Review 31.1-2 (2004): 1+.
• Hillway, Tyrus, and Luther S. Mansfield, eds. Moby-Dick Centennial Essays. Dallas, TX: Southern Methodist University Press, 1953.

More papers on Mythology in "Moby Dick":

• Book Review # 94970 : "Blasphemy in "Moby Dick"
• Book Review # 109383 : "Spirituality in "Moby Dick"
• Analytical Essay # 29814 : "Captain Ahab in 'Moby-Dick'"

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