Moby Dick
In the novel Moby Dick, by Herman Melville, a microcosm lives in the Pequod. Throughout the story, the microcosm is apparent in the control and superiority of Captain Ahab, friendship, religion, and the struggles of good and evil. The Pequod symbolizes the views, actions, thoughts, and the various types of people in the world. Ahab's power and authority show that he is the leader in this small world. He conjures allegiance and fear out of the crew. Dagoo, Tashtego, and Queequeg are the minorities on the ship(for obvious reasons) and represent the minorities of the world. They band together when one is in danger. Starbuck is very religious and portrays the devout of the world. His faith and reverence keep him sane during the long journey. The rest of the crew depicts the average people of the world. They show how gullible and vulnerable we can be sometimes. To win over the crew, Ahab uses his knowledge of human nature to coax them into helping him with his veng
" Flask and Stubb remain loyal throughout the voyage. The characters establish friendships and alliances. He kisses his boots and proclaims "Me god, me god. Ishmael also sees that Ahab is crazy with his obsession and power, but does nothing about it. They never stop to question Ahab, even when Starbuck confronts them and says it is their legal right to have a mutiny when the captain does not abide by the rules. At the end of the story, Ahab is almost a changed man with the help of Starbuck, but immediately goes back to his old self when a crew member spots the whale. He refuses to stop until he gets his revenge on the whale that took not only his leg, but his manhood. After that he cuts his palm, squeezes the blood out, drips it in the rum and tells them to drink it. By doing so, he makes them remember what their reward will be when they see the whale. All the aspects of the ship corresponded to the aspects of the world. This shows Ahab trying to get to the religious aspect of man by having them drink his blood like they would with Christ's at Mass. Hypocrisies and totalitarianism exist in both worlds. The obsessive nature of Ahab is what causes the downfall of this small world. They feel his passion and need for revenge on the whale and fail to realize why they are really out at sea.
Common topics in this essay:
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Ahab Starbuck,
Flask Stubb,
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