Moby Dick
Moby Dick can be viewed as a tragedy. Webster's Dictionary defines tragedy as a "dramatic composition, dealing with a serious or somber theme, typically that of a great person destined through flaw of character or conflict with some overpowering force, fate or circumstance to downfall or destruction." This describes Moby Dick very well, as we discover as the story unfolds. Ahab, one of the key characters in the novel, can be viewed as the protagonist, one who causes the actions that occur and who brings the story to its tragic conclusion. He is seen as the tragic hero. He is a man distinguished by courage and ability, who is admired for his qualities and achievements. The reader can sympathize, feeling pity and compassion for Ahab. We can understand to some extent the feelings that this man must have experienced and we can relate to them. The villain or antagonist to Ahab is Moby Dick, the White Whale whom Ahab pursues, leading to the death of himself and his crew. This leaves Ishmael as the only survivor to tell the story. Ahab is a deeply disturbed man. He could be viewed as a crazy lunatic. Though crazy as he is, he clearly knows wha
Bulkington, of course later died with rest of the crew on the Piquod. The man well liked is in sharp contrast to the sad, disfigure, crazy man, Ahab. Along the long journey, the Pequod encounters some problems with whale oil leaking in the hold. Starbuck immediately tells Ahab that they need to fix the problem or they would loose their profits. Ahab does not want to waste time in his pursuit of Moby Dick but finally agrees to his responsibilities as captain. During the voyage, Ahab gathers his crew, giving them grog and performing a pagan ceremony to join him in hunting down and killing Moby Dick. This is an example of his manipulation of the crew in to supporting him. He entices them with the prospect of winning a gold doubloon, which he stakes on the mast to the first person that spots the white whale. To appeal to his harpooners he engages them in a pagan blood ceremony.
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1789
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)
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