Moby Dick is a famous novel written by Herman Melville.

PlotEdit

When the narrator, Ishmael, goes out with a newfound friend on a whaling expedition, he does not know what will fall upon him. Throughout this tale, the crew on the Pequod (the ship) is searching for the Great White Whale, Moby Dick. Their captain, Captain Ahab, had his leg taken from him by this whale, and now he is out for revenge. This book is filled with chaos as the crew tries so hard to find that whale and kill it.

SymbolismEdit

Moby DickEdit

The meaning of Moby-dick is evil

Ahab's PipersEdit

The PequodEdit

The ship that the whaling crew sails on is a symbol of doom. It is painted black and covered in the teeth and bones of whales. It is painted a gloomy black and covered in whale teeth and bones, literally bristling with the mementos of violent death. It is, in fact, marked for death. Adorned like a primitive coffin, the Pequod becomes one.

Queequeg's CoffinEdit

Queequeg's coffin alternately symbolizes life and death. Queequeg has it built when he is seriously ill, but when he recovers, it becomes a chest to hold his belongings and an emblem of his will to live. He perpetuates the knowledge tattooed on his body by carving it onto the coffin's lid. The coffin further comes to symbolize life, in a morbid way, when it replaces the Pequod's life buoy. When the Pequod sinks, the coffin becomes Ishmael's buoy, saving not only his life but the life of the narrative that he will pass on. (Generally symbolizes bringing forth life, from death.)

RelatedEdit

Story SignificanceEdit

The entire tale of Moby Dick represents, and comes from, the story of Jonah. In this biblical story, Jonah becomes swallowed by a giant fish.Edit

• Captain Ahab
• revenge
• obsession
• Moby Dick article on the Literature Wikia