Discuss the hero figure and how it is perceived through the three main characters in the novel moby-dick

16 Chapter 4: Captain Ahab Vs. Ishmael…………………………………………………………18 Discusions and Conclusion……………………………………………………………………. 20 References………………………………………………………………………………………21. Introduction The novel "Moby-Dick" which has been written by Herman Melville entails a journey that took place in the sea. The novel details different characters which include two main characters which are mainly Captain Ahab and Ishmael. This was a significant problem that influenced how Ahab resonated. On the contrary, Ishmael, who was the only survivor and considered to be a hero, narrates the novel of Moby-Dick how he was able to deal with the challenges that surrounded him. Even though the situations that surrounded Ishmael was extreme, he was able to achieve them by laying down proper channels that helped him become a hero figure at the end. Ishmael accept the path which life takes, and unlike Captain Ahab, he doesn't deny the fact that it is good and evil in the world.

in fact, Ishmael's awareness helps him to become a survivor when he understood that killing the white whale was vain and could never help in changing anything. Immediately after the death of Melville in 1891, the period which his excellent writing had been neglected, Moby-Dick in 1850 the story which had been forgotten started to gain popularity later in the 1920s. The period of the 1920s was considered to be “Melville’s revival” period which the critics and the various reviewers had started to establish articles that captured the themes in the novel Moby-Dick. The critics were writing pieces which caused the novel to flourish even more significantly. It was a suitable way of adding value to the details that were provided in the novel (Parker and Higgins 12).

Several scholars and researchers began highlighting important elements in the novel which added more significant value to the novel. In 1950 and towards the beginning of the 1960s, several critics tried to categorize Moby-Dick in several settings, political, religious and philosophical spheres to facilitate their critical ideas. According to Parker and Higgins, some vital scholars tried to place the novel at the end of the 1950s and start of 1960s to be a form of political allegory which was compared with the political events that took effect in the same period (22). The critics argue that no such events could have happened without the writer has put in place the events through the writing of the novel. During the periods of 1970 through the 1990s, the critics continued with their focus on the writings and considered the theme of symbolism in the novel as very significant.

They discussed the issues that Ahab and Ishmael had through the identification of the personalities, Ishmael having the desire to discover and know various things that were around him and the desire of Ahab for wanting to take revenge was of great highlight. The characteristics identified are the ones that led to the establishments of the various events that took place through the story, and the way they are portrayed indicates the desire and isolation which caused Pequod’s crew to die unprepared death. The traits cannot be visualized and considered to be a form of heroism, but they have been used to deter and eliminate the real essence of realism and effectiveness that have been found. In the year 1960s, Richard Chase made significant contributions which brought several excellent gifts through the entire process of undertakings.

Chase was seen to be the first scholar to bring some light through his criticism on the application of several motifs including the Narcissism, transcendentalism and the ability to undertake self-reliance approach through the text. The scholar identified mand stated that Moby-Dick was seen to be a book through which alienation from the life that resulted from extra self-dependence was established. Mumford based his arguments on the quality of the novel where it was written than the “best spirit of the nineteenth century, and through it escaped most of the limitations of that period, it escaped with its finest qualities intact” (404). In the current world, the novel has become a significant element in making and shaping the culture in America. The powerful and influential but powerful symbols identified in the novel helps the reader of the novel to accurately interpret the novel in a given manner and come up with a suitable definition that would significantly facilitate the interpretations according to the realized political, historical as well as cultural approaches.

Moreover, the future is seen to have several arguments and the people who inspire others in the explanations and insights into the novel have become a great highlight in the understanding of the issues that might change over time. Chapter 2: Definition of a Hero from Captain Ahab’s Perspective Captain Ahab is considered to be the main character in the novel, Moby-Dick evaluating his story of revenge. Metaphorically, Ahab’s blindness impacted in him losing more than the leg. Pepper argues that Ahab has lost a lot of earthly desires that he was pursuing after, such as money and happiness (39). By taking the move by considering revenge as the main thing, Ahab was able to lose the ability to be an average person with a healthy life with his family.

The inability to lead a productive and healthy living to return to his wife and child and consider taking a journey of destruction cannot be viewed as a heroic step. The captain failed to reunite with family and maintain a bond that would help them become more effective in the way in which they considered several significant highlights. In the end, it is reported that Ahab is emotionally injured than being physically injured. This is a significant issue that is reported and has been channeled through how different considerations are done. Captain Ahab starts with a speech in the first appearance he makes. In the statement, the captain put some primary emphasis on the only desire he carried, which was to make sure that the white whale was dead.

Even though the captain does not make declarations for the reasons behind the steps he considers, it is clear that the crew of the Pequod was very aware that indeed “the captain hates Moby Dick which was embodiment of nature and also had the feeling of pride which was wounded and human dignity challenged greatly” (Wei 450). Ren and Yu argue further that the captain rejected any form of requests for example “when the captain Gardener of Rachel expects Ahab to be in a position to help him find his son, but the ship is lost along the way” (107). Hence, until the captain was seen to be a man of few words lacking the traits to interact and rejects effective communication with crew members that would help address most of the issues that he experienced in the given moments.

Schlarb also states that “Ahab’s rending of the whale as his nemesis by divine decree would be merely a result of Ahab’s lack of social skills” (90). However, Ahab is never seen interacting with other people, such as Starbucks. As suggested by Probst, his interactions with Starbucks is seen to be very open and describes his life as being private and detailed to himself because of the form of isolation he had received. All these components and points made him become a real hero able to accomplish more significant insightful elements that would significantly change his entire life. During the struggle that he made with the most potent force of nature, he is doomed to becoming a more tragic figure (108).

Ren and Yu had a proper view of the heroism components in the captain. According to them, one of the most significant factors of being a great hero was the fact of being independent, responsible and self-respect which could be used to discover the most important to complete the description of effective proponents (106) effectively. Also, heroism is seen to be a purposeful issue seeking to have a personal interest which has been rooted all across the American literature. The last component to mention through the chapters is considered to be one of the most significant traits of the captain, which is brevity. Despite all the evil motives that the captain had, he was seen to be very brave in the way he carried out most of the events.

It shall be reported that instead of the captain becoming more systematic in doing things, he was subjective and wanted to get the best out of all the processes he was subjected. He applied his brevity to make sure that he was always walking on the right path. It was considered that Ahab would be seen to be a hero from the sacrifices he made for his life, and his spirit would be able to live forever. It is clear how he made clarification and identification by saying that call me Ishmael. This is a clear introduction that makes the reader know the character easily and follows through the story. Furthermore, Ishmael’s opening remarks implies that he was escaping the world by sailing through the sea and looking for an inner form of peace that the land could not provide.

It is clear that Ishmael did not like life on earth and was completely negative with how he wanted to address some important things that take place. He declares that with the help of a few brief words, what people should address him. It is a common aspect to claim that both of the characters had various things in common. Both of them sailed across the sea and were having a common goal to hunt the white whale. Besides, they differed in the way they embraced the truth. For instance, Ishmael accepted the truth of the matter, but captain Ahab was obsessed with evil and could not accept the fact and only wanted to undertake the revenge part. As stated by Probst, "the acceptance that Ishmael displays by recognizing his limited knowledge, as well as the fact that he cannot contrast to Ahab who must "strike through the mask" to break through appearance and arrive at absolute truth" (14).

Ishmael looks at the white whale as a guide into understanding some of the principles and secrets of heaven, directing through the dark oceans. On the other hand, captain Ahab attends the whale and is considered to be the evil that should be destroyed. Seeking evil would lead to your destruction. Evaluating captain Ahab's and Ishmael's experiences through the novel is a significant aspect that has been significantly considered. Sailing through the sea is an excellent opportunity for both of them to correct their mistakes and embark on a journey that would change their lives for better. Ahab gives revelations of the evil elements that humans might have over time and the changes that might be experienced. Due to the differences in both of the characters, the novel has painted out the themes of evil and good in society.