《A-Brief-Analysis-of-the-Symbolism-in-Moby-Dick》由会员分享，可在线阅读，更多相关《A-Brief-Analysis-of-the-Symbolism-in-Moby-Dick（4页珍藏版）》请在金锄头文库上搜索。
1、A Brief Analysis of the Symbolism in Moby DickI. Introduction The writer - Herman MelvilleHerman Melville (1819-1891) was an American novelist, short story writer, essayist, and poet. He is best known for his novel Moby Dick and the posthumous novella Billy Budd. His first three books gained much co
2、ntemporary attention (Typee, Omoo, Redburn), and after a fast-blooming literary success in the late 1840s, his popularity declined precipitously in the mid-1850s and never recovered during his lifetime. For twenty years before his death in 1891, Herman Melville was a forgotten man. This is best refl
3、ected in a couple obituary notices:He won considerable fame as an author by the publication of a book in 1847 (actually 1846) entitled Typee. . This was his best work, although he has since written a number of other stories, which were published more for private than public circulation. . During the
4、 ten years subsequent to the publication of this book he was employed at the NY Custom House. (NY Daily Tribune, September 29, 1891) Of late years Mr. Melville - probably because he had ceased his literary activity - has fallen into a literary decline, as a result of which his books are little known
5、. Probably, if the truth were known, even his own generation has long thought him dead, so quiet have been the later years of his life. (The Press, September 29, 1891)Soon after his death, there was a short revival of interest in Melvilles work. Many of his works were published again and so were man
6、y appreciative scholarly evaluations. A second Melville revival took place about 1919 coinciding with the centennial of Melvilles birth. It was not until the Melville Revival at this time that his work won recognition, especially Moby-Dick, which holds a distinctive position in the American literary
7、 tradition that no other work can match. In writing Moby-Dick, Melville attempted a narrative altogether different than what he had written before.II. Symbolism in Moby DickIn Moby Dick, Melville employs stylized language, symbolism to explore numerous complex themes. Through the main characters jou
8、rney, the concepts of class and social status, good and evil, and the existence of God are all examined, as Ishmael speculates upon his personal beliefs and his place in the universe. The book projects human instincts, characteristics and motivations onto animals. Moby Dick, the whale, is ruthless i
9、n attacking the sailors who attempt to hunt and kill him, but it is Ahab who invests Moby Dicks natural instincts with malignant and evil intentions. In fact, it is not the whale but the crippled Ahab who alone possesses this characteristic. Symbolism is using a person, place, or thing to represent
10、something else which is larger and often untouchable. It is used in literature to give authors objectivity while their views are still expressed. Some symbols stand for things that are obvious while others need a more involved explanation. Moby-dick is such a great book that is full of symbols, sugg
11、esting endless meanings. The research on Symbolism in Moby Dick has being very popular. The scholars hold that In Herman Melvilles Moby Dick, one such element is the idea of the tapestry, of humanity, that is woven throughout the story as a symbol of the worlds multiculturalism. In Moby Dick, the th
12、eme of humanistic relationships with nature is expressed. The following part emphasizes an analysis of the symbolism in Moby Dick.1. The Symbolism of Moby Dick and its WhitenessMoby Dick was a mixed symbol. The color of the whale is a symbol that can be interpreted differently. The whiteness of the
13、whale can have traditional meanings in America, such as innocence and purity. However, to some people the color white can be symbolic of death, solitude, strength, power, and a god-like appearance. To Captain Ahab, the whale is not only the beast that bit his leg, but also a symbol of evil. Because
14、the whale has removed Ahabs leg and attacked some whalers, Melville shows that Moby Dick is capable of great violence. However, he also shows the whale living peacefully and tranquilly at sea until he is attacked by the men. This shows the contradiction of the whiteness of the whale because Melville
15、 emphasizes that white can mean both tranquility and good, as well as terror and evil.A man hunting a malevolent beast that ravages the countryside is not a new story. Beowulf hunts Grendel. St. George kills the marauding dragon. The Messiah defeats Leviathan. Often the monster takes the form of “a
16、sea-monster. Though the hero usually perishes in the effort, his death fosters “communal rejuvenation” and “restores that world to its divine purposes(Foulke 333).Throughout Moby Dick, the whale is given divine features and often compared to God. Just as many people fear God they also fear Moby Dick. The characters in Moby-Dick all seem to have a different outlook on the symbolism of the whale. To Captain Ahab, the whale symbolizes all that is
