“Moby Dick” – By Herman Melville

About Author:

Herman Melville (August 1, 1819 – September 28, 1891) was an American novelist and  short story writer . Celebrated American author Herman Melville wrote 'Moby-Dick' and several other sea-adventure novels, before turning to poetry later in his literary career.

Character list:

1)   Ishmael: The narrator

2)   Ahab: The Captain, obsessed with Moby Dick

3)   Starbuck: The First mate, Quakers who works against Ahab

4)   Moby Dick: The great white whale, took Ahab leg

5)   Queequeg: Skilled harpooner and Ishmael’s best friend

6)   Pip: Young boy who is a cabin boy, Jester and prophet

Main conflict of the Novel:

-        Man v/s Man

-        Man v/s Himself

-        Man v/s Nature

About the Novel:

This Novel summarized very  briefly as the voyage of the whaling ship Pequod, commanded by Captain Ahab in search of whales and particularly the enormous white whale, which gives the title to the novel. However in, Moby Dick is much more of whaling scenes are punctuated by reflection scientific religious, philosophical and artistic character of Ishmael, the writer’s alter ego, making the trip at the same time.

           “It is the easiest thing in the world for a man to look as if he had a great secret in him”

"Call me Ishmael," the narrator begins, in one of the most recognizable opening lines in American literature.

The story begins with the narrator, Ishmael, pondering why a life at sea attracts men so much. He explains that he is one of them, and wishes to live a life at sea as a whaler. 

Ishmael leaves for New Bedford, where at an inn, meets Queequeg. The two share a goal of being a whaler, and quickly befriend each other as they leave for Nantucket. The two find themselves aboard the Pequod, a whaling vessel owned by the madman Ahab. The nature of the crew members is unsheathed during this time. Ahab announces the voyages purpose, to kill Moby Dick, and reward who has done so with a gold dubloon. A few men are killed on the way to find Moby Dick, an omen of the voyage. Some whales are caught and utilized, aside from the trip's purpose. Starbuck continues to protest Ahab's ill-fated journey.

The White Whale is spotted, and the game is on. Many harpoons are buried into Moby Dick, just like dozens have before. Many crew members die in the fight, falling into the freezing sea. Moby Dick is not killed, but the same can't be said for Ahab, who was hit by a harpoon and drowned in the ocean. Everyone aboard the Pequod, sunk to Davy Jones' Locker. The survivors of the fight were Moby Dick and Ishmael.

So,  we can conclude that Throughout  the Novel, the story can get suspenseful, and even depressing as they go on their journey through the sea.