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Reader Reviews | |
Review by Shannon (050910) Rating (8/10) Review
by Shannon Ishmael, on the other hand, is a stark contrast to Ahab. He is much more level-headed, with a tendency to think more than he speaks or does. Ishmael is ruled by his head, while Ahab follows his heart. Consequently, little information is readily offered about Ishmael. He easily explains the world of whaling to us, but we learn very few facts about his past. Put these two, along with three sceptical mates, three eager harpooners, a group of sailors who’ve been hidden away, and the rest of a whaling crew on a ship together and something’s bound to happen. Yet nothing does during the beginning of the four-year voyage. The crew doesn’t even see their Captain until they have been out at sea for a while. He makes his debut with a rather serious speech. He introduces the ship to the purpose that the voyage has in his mind: to find and kill the White Whale. The harpooners are some of the few that have heard this name before. Moby Dick is the most feared whale in the world, yet the muse of many whaling captains. Not only would killing the whale bring glory, but the crew would be credited with removing a menace from the waters. These are not Captain Ahab’s motives though; he is haunted by the ghost of the whale that stole his leg years ago. His obsession with the death of Moby Dick leads to many things aboard the ship, including the gift of a doubloon to the first one who spots the whale. When the white hump is finally seen, the crew has the chance to experience the wrath of the White Whale, and the tragedy that his harpoon-covered body can cause.
Moby Dick is a classic tale of the search for revenge,
and the insane things humans will do to feel at peace. |
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