Moby Dick

An allusion is a reference to a well-known person, place, event, literary work, or work
of art. Writers often use biblical and mythological allusions to which their readers are
familiar. In Moby Dick, Herman Melville frequently uses biblical and mythological allusions.
With these allusions the reader begins to understand the topic of discussion and is also
exposed to the wisdom and knowledge Melville possess.
The first allusion appears in the first line of the novel. “Call me Ishmael.” Ishmael was
the biblical son of Abraham and his servant Hagar. He was disowned in favor of Isaac,
Abraham’s son with his wife Sarah. An angel prophesied to Hagar. “his hand shall be against
every man, and every man’s hand against him.” The name “Ishmael” has since become used
commonly for an outcast, which is appropriate since he is inexperienced when it comes to
whaling and is viewed as AN outcast to the other sailors upon the Pequod.
Another biblical allusi...