Herman Melville's Moby-Dick

The two symbols from the Herman Melville’s novel, Moby-Dick persists of the sharks following the whale like Captains Ahab’s crew and the whale and Ahab possessing “dents.” While the Pequod ship remains on the sea trying to kill Moby-Dick they see sharks. Since the crew last seen the sharks it was also with the white whale, and this astonished them. The sharks were following the whale, and protecting him from the harpooners trying to kill him. “.. And whether it was Ahab’s crew were all such tiger-yellow barbarians, and therefore their flesh more musky to the senses of the sharks- a matter sometimes well known to affect them- however it was, they seemed to follow that one boat without molesting the others,” (348). By following one boat it
gave Moby-Dick a greater chance of not getting killed, which therefore the sharks were trying to help the whale get away from the Pequod. The sharks and Ahab’s crew show similarities because they followed orders.
Symbolizing Ahab’s crew the sharks following their “captain,” Moby-Dick. Ahab states, “Drink and pass!’ he cried, handling the heavy charged flagon to the nearest seamen. ‘The crew alone now drink. Round with it, round!” (342). His crew strongly disagrees with his choices of wanting to kill the whale, but proceeds to do so. Ahab’s crew resembles the sharks following the whale because they both don’t want to get killed, but since they’re loyal they will do whatever needs to be done. Not only do the sharks loyalty to helping the whale similar to Captain Ahab’s crew, but also how they have “dents.” Dents in this context shows emotional instability from everything that occurred during this time. “Soon his steady, ivory stride was heard, as to and fro he paced his old rounds, upon planks so familiar to his tread, that they were all over dented..” (337). Last time Captain Ahab saw Moby-Dick happened to be when the whale bit off his leg. This event made him unstable because he’s consumed on getting revenge and didn’t think about anything/anyone else. The whale also received dents, and not just Ahab. “I am game for his crooked jaw, and for the jaws of death too..”
(341). Being hunted by whale killers provided scares. He had been shot at several times by other whalers, but he meant no mischief. Moby-Dick minds his own business until somebody pokes him enough to get him angry. Ahab and the whale gained many physical and emotional dents. People have no idea what others go through, and that includes animals. Whether showing dents or “crew,” similarities showed symbols of how both the whale and Ahab embody each other.
Ahab’s obsession with Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick shows persistence and selfishness.
Ever since Moby-Dick bit his leg off Ahab dwelled on it every day after it happened instead of forgetting about it. “The harpoon was darted; the stricken whale flew forward; with igniting velocity the line ran through the groove;-ran foul. Ahab stooped to clear it; he did clear it; but the flying turn caught him round the neck,” (354). Ahab died from attempting to kill Moby-Dick from his obsession. He spent months out on sea searching for the whale and not once did he ever give up the search. He kept looking and when they finally found the whale he ended up killing himself. The persistence he showed not only killed him but also his crew. Ahab was very selfish when it came to listening to what others had to say. Families that crew members remain on land didn’t matter to him. “Their hands met; their eyes fastened; Starbuck’s tears the glue. ‘Oh my captain, my captain! -noble heart-go not-go not!-see, it’s brave man that weeps; how great the agony of persuasion then! ‘Lower away!’ -cried Ahab, tossing the mate’s arm from him.” (347). This is the second time Starbuck has asked Ahab to turn back and that it’s not too late to give up, but he won’t listen to him. Ahab doesn’t care if the crew wants to hunt the whale because he wants them to do it. This is selfish since no matter what the crew does or thinks he won’t even see their opinion out. Since Ahab acquired this compulsion to capture, and
kill the whale, he became self-centered to other viewpoints.
Starbuck and Ahab in Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick shows independence and respect with their characters personalities. While searching for Moby-dick Starbuck wanted to turn back and go back to land, but every time he brought it up to Ahab he shut him down. Captain Ahab was very independent with his thoughts and didn’t think about anything else. “Starbuck now is mine; cannot oppose me now, without rebellion,” (342). After Starbuck again, tried to convince Ahab to turn the boat around he wouldn’t listen. Self determined with his own thought he would repeatedly told the crew they weren’t turning back. Starbuck never gave up when it came to asking Ahab to stop this nonsense search. This makes Starbuck also independent because he never relied on other to say something to their Captain. Ahab and Starbuck also show respect towards each other because even though not everyone agrees with what they’re doing they do what the Captain says. “The long, barbed steel goblets were lifted; and to cries and maledictions against the white whale, the spirits were simultaneously quaffed down with a hiss,” (343). Captain Ahab’s crew doesn’t agree with what they’re about to do, but they all drink together after Ahab gives them a speech to get them excited to kill the whale. This shows respect within the crew since they don’t want to, but they have to listen to the Captain whether he is sane or not. Ahab also shows signs of him wanting respect from the crew because he keeps delivering speeches to make them want to do this with him. Determination and reverence live within Captain Ahab and his crew mate, Starbuck.