StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Religious and Philosophical Aspects in Melville's Moby Dick - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
In the American history, Puritans, who were mainly Protestants, had championed campaigns for the regulation of worshipping activities. They were not only strict observers of religious issues, but also the moral…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER91.4% of users find it useful
Religious and Philosophical Aspects in Melvilles Moby Dick
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Religious and Philosophical Aspects in Melville's Moby Dick"

Religious and Philosophical Aspects in Melville’s Moby Dick The theme of religion cuts across Melville’s Moby Dick work. In the American history, Puritans, who were mainly Protestants, had championed campaigns for the regulation of worshipping activities. They were not only strict observers of religious issues, but also the moral standards that were declining in the society. Melville views religion as a cover up that worshipper use to hide their evil activities. According to him, man is by nature evil, and perfectionist only exists in an ideal world (Melville, p.4). Melville uses two characters, namely Ishmael and Ahab in his work.

The two are secluded and remain in isolation with the sole purpose of investigating religious matters around the world. Ahab does not believe in the biblical story of creation in the Garden of Eden. Instead of having a desire for spiritual nourishment, he stays firm and confronts wickedness. The firmness is symbolized by a whale in the book (Melville; pp.178-179) Ishmael perceives Ahab as a weak man who is only after avenging for the sins he committed. Although Ahab professed Christianity, he was just a hypocrite who was only hiding in the masses.

On the other hand, another character by the name Starbuck is unsure about how God should be shown respect. Human beings have weaknesses that sometimes disconnect them with their maker. In order to build a relationship, they must overcome their internal emotions and weaknesses and honor their maker. Due to the disrespect, the alluded Adam showed to the maker, he is eliminated from the universe. Unlike Ahab, Ishmael, who observed the teachings of his maker is blessed immensely (Melville, pp.153-156).

The traits demonstrated by the characters in Melville’s work are a clear revelation of his religious beliefs. He uses the Whale to symbolize the nature of God. God has supernatural powers and is both omnipresent and omnipotent. Ahab tries to go against the will of God and tries to collude with Satan. Melville is of the view that those who go against the will of God are likely to be punished severely (Melville, pp.483-484). In the book, a Priest by the name Mapple uses Jonah in as an example of a person who went contrary to the wishes of God.

Consequently, the fish swallowed him. According to the priest, we cannot honor God before we honor ourselves (Melville, pp.344-345) Melville advises that we should forego our personal desires for the sake of worshipping the Lord. Ishmael comes out as a character whom God wants human beings to be while Ahab is demonstrated as a disgrace to religion. Ahab practices idolatry which is against God’s commandments and sets his worshipping standards for himself. On the other hand, Ishmael, who is a Presbyterian, is against idolatry and stands firm (Melville, pp.40-43). Melville’s philosophy supports the attributes given to God; all-powerful and all knowing.

In the American society, people remain divided the concept of freedom and determinism. Those who subscribe to the freedom school of thought believe that a man has the freedom to choose between what is considered morally right and evil. The Puritan supports the notion and call upon implementation of strict religious laws to regulate worshipping. On the contrary, proponents of determinism believe that the fate of man was decided long before he came to earth. Man has no control of his destiny and therefore cannot be for committing what is considered evil.

Proponents of freedom and determinism remain at loggerhead to date, and the debate is not likely to be soon (Melville, pp 80-90).Work CitedMelville, Herman. Moby Dick. American Library, 1892.Print

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Religious and Philosophical Aspects in Melville's Moby Dick Essay”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/english/1668781-religious-and-philosophical-aspects-in-melvilles-moby-dick
(Religious and Philosophical Aspects in Melville'S Moby Dick Essay)
https://studentshare.org/english/1668781-religious-and-philosophical-aspects-in-melvilles-moby-dick.
“Religious and Philosophical Aspects in Melville'S Moby Dick Essay”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/english/1668781-religious-and-philosophical-aspects-in-melvilles-moby-dick.
  • Cited: 1 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Religious and Philosophical Aspects in Melville's Moby Dick

The Book Moby-Dick by Herman Melville

In the 41st chapter, the author in the first voice tells of the oaths that the sailors have taken against moby dick to hunt down and kill him.... hellip; moby dick The book ‘Moby- Dick' written by Herman Melville is a story whose setting is mostly at sea and talks of interactions between sailors and encounters with whales.... In the 41st chapter, the author in the first voice tells of the oaths that the sailors have taken against moby dick to hunt down and kill him....
3 Pages (750 words) Essay

The Theme of Madness in the Novel Moby Dick by Herman Melville

Theme of Madness in the Novel “moby dick” by Herman Melville Table of Contents 1 Table of Contents 2 Introduction 3 Theme of Madness in the Novel moby dick 4 Conclusion 7 Work Cited 8 Bibliography 8 Introduction “moby dick; or, The Whale” is one of the finest gems from the treasure of literature by Herman Melville published in the year 1851.... The ship is controlled by Captain Ahab who has a different intention in this voyage of taking retribution from the white sperm whale named moby dick who has damaged his boat and also bit off one of his legs (Melville, “Moby-Dick; or, The Whale”)....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

Otherness in Moby Dick

Instructor name Date Otherness in moby dick Fiction is often mistaken as being synonymous with fantasy with some reason.... Literature such as Melville's novel moby dick or The Whale remind us that even when we feel we belong within a society, there are often elements of otherness that keep us separate.... The capacity to reveal human nature within fiction is especially true when demonstrating various ways of life, or aspects of social culture....
3 Pages (750 words) Essay

The Novel Moby Dick

In Herman Melville's novel, moby dick, there are certain events and situations which are related to the plot and the characters and these events and situations signal things to come or happen in future.... Taking place in the 1800s, Herman Melville's classic novel, moby dick, introduced this contrast through the characters Ahab and Starbuck.... Ahab believed moby dick was evil and was destined to die at his hands.... Ahab and Starbuck were generally the same in basic aspects....
8 Pages (2000 words) Essay

The Sermons, Epistles, and Apocalypses of Israel's Prophets

This is a key point vis--vis melville's use of the Book of Jonah as a literary device because he leaves this clear counterpoint out of the thread of his text and plot.... (Kent 422)Again, melville's use of the Book of Jonah is completely devoid of this portion of the tale because, for him, it bears little relevance or use to the true imperative of the Book of Jonah....
7 Pages (1750 words) Essay

Herman Melvilles Works - Style, Subjects, and Influences

moby dick.... It is about the sea voyage of a whaling ship named Pequod, whose Captain Ahab searches for a huge whale called Moby-dick.... Herman Melville's most famous novel is the Moby-dick.... Herman Melville wrote Moby-dick in 1851.... It is about the sea voyage of a whaling ship named Pequod, whose Captain Ahab searches for a huge whale called Moby-dick.... His greatest work was Moby-dick and this shows Melville's typical style with all the elements as discussed in this essay....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

A short analytical response to Moby-Dick by Herman Melville (second half)

whale hunting adventure, except for the ship's… He clearly states his longing to kill moby dick the white whale for taking his leg.... He clearly states his longing to kill moby dick the white whale for taking his leg.... The text brings out the various characters' determination, strength, weakness, fear, and acceptance of fate in their adventure while revealing moby dick's mystery and power in subduing his opponents.... This paper has demonstrated and analyzed various characters' personalities and temperaments such as determination, strength, weakness, fear, and acceptance of fate in their adventure while revealing moby dick's mystery and power in suppressing his opponents....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Reflection to Moby Dick (quotes)

I have observed that there are different ways of making fun and enjoying happiness, but one thing that no one can be able to devise is the method of creating Reflection to moby dick There go two daft ones now,' muttered the old Manxman.... moby dick.... ife has a way of making people equal, regardless of their strengths or weaknesses in different aspects of life....
3 Pages (750 words) Assignment
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us