Moby Dick: A seminal piece

Moby Dick contains many elements of literature, both past and present. It is a story of both internal and external conflicts involving the White Whale, Ahab, and the Pequod’s crew. Yet it is also a realistic story of whaling, perceiving both the good and bad aspects of the, then and now, controversial whaling industry.
Two main characters of the novel, Ishmael and Ahab, both view the whaling industry in different aspects.
“The rest of his body was so streaked, and spotted, and marbled with the same shrouded hue, that, in the end, he had gained his distinctive appelallation of the White Whale; a name, indeed, literally justified by his vivid aspect, when seen gliding at high noon through a dark blue sea, leaving a mily-way of creamy foam, all spangled with golden gleamings.”

Ishmael views the whales as beautiful and serene sea creatures, innocent in their nature. Melville, perhaps, creates Ishmael to represent the anti-whaling supporters while the view of the sailo...