Moby Dick :: essays research papers fc

Moby DickI. Biographical InsightsA. The culture this great author was a part of was the time in American historywhere shake up works of literature began to emerge. It was also a time whenAmerican 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 MariaMelville. During Hermans childhood he lived in the good neighborhoods of NewYork City. In 1832 Herman suffered tragedy when his have died after trying tocope with the stress of debts and misfortunes. After a short time in a businesshouse in New York City, Herman refractory he needed to go to sea. He spentyears traveling on a variety of ships, including whaling ships.C1. Melvilles perspective on life is that God created the universe of discourse with aninfinite number of meanings and man is always trying to determine matchless specificmeaning.D2. The lessons that Melvi lle is likely to weave into his writing are 1. Anexposition on whales and the whaling industry. 2. A commentary on the universeand human destiny. 3. Thoughts about God and Nature.III. CharactersB. The protagonist in this book is Ishmael, a Christian, schoolteacher and part-time sailor. Ishmaels role in the lookup for Moby Dick is to interpret what ishappening. He discusses his reasons for going to sea and interprets and looksfor understanding a number of reasons for any specific action where othercharacters only understand one reason.C. It is hard to say what changes take place in Ishmaels personality, since heis the narrator he doesnt talk about himself, he only talks about what he sees.D1. Ishmael befriends Queequeg who is a cannibal. Even though Queequeg is veryugly Ishmael sees that Queequeg has an honest heart, great honor, and a lot ofcourage. This friendship had a positive submit on Ishmaels behavior becauseit taught him not to judge on outward appearances.E2. Another relat ionship that was very short was the relationship betweenIshmael and Captain Ahab. For the kickoff few days aboard the Pequod Ishmaelalways saw Ahab in the shadows. When Ishmael finally saw Ahab he had shiversrun through his body. Ishmael mat Ahabs attitude of determination, dedicationand hatred towards Moby Dick in Ahabs appearance. This relationship was anegative relationship because Ishmael now feared Ahab and did not want tobecome friends with such an evil person.F. The conflict that Ishmael experienced was that he saw how Ahab was such an