Luke Fahmy and Leonardo Morella BIBLICAL ALLUSIONS IN

Luke Fahmy and Leonardo Morella BIBLICAL ALLUSIONS IN MOBY DICK

Overview � Herman Melville sought to create the great American novel � This novel would have to consist of a variety of literary devices and references to popular American themes � One technique of his to bring this about was to relate many of the characters/events to the Bible

The Right Whale as Christ

The Whale as Christ � The previous slide shows the old right whale from the chapter called “The Pequod Meets the Virgin” � This whale is interpreted as a symbol of Christ because he was stabbed with three harpoons, attached to three pieces of wooden board, and dragged behind a ship without resisting � The name “The Virgin” might also represent Christ’s mother, Mary

“Call Me Ishmael”

“Call Me Ishmael” � This is the first line of the book and is discusses often � Other than the fact that the character’s name is Ishmael (from the Bible, ) it is striking that he says, “Call me. ” This is a very informal and welcoming greeting, but could also indicate that “Ishmael” is just a nickname or what the character desires to call himself

Moby Dick

Moby Dick � The great white whale has little Biblical significance, but some � He represents the unknown because of his many periods of prolonged silence and the mysteriousness of his actions � This is similar to the altar of the unknown god in Acts 17: 23 � There, Paul claims that the unknown god is the True God whom they worship � Similarly, Melville may be indicating that the crew of the Pequod (especially Captain Ahab, ) worship Moby Dick

Jonah

Jonah � Many characters in the book have their Jonahlike moments � This may be from actually being inside of a whale or from some sort of rebirth that they experienced (like Jonah) � Queequeg, Tashtego, Ahab, and Ishmael were all actually inside of a whale � Ahab, Ishmael, and Pip experienced some sort of rebirth