Perspective on Religion Herman Melvilles Moby-Dick Essay example -- M

Perspective on Religion Herman Melvilles Moby-Dick A foundation garment of the philosophical and narrative substructure of Herman Melvilles Moby-Dick is headspring of collect, or thought. The textually primary get of view in the refreshed is outcasts, since he is the narrator of the novel. However, castaway relates his story in such a way that one can substantially detect numerous other voices, or other steads, in the story, which ofttimes oppose the narrators voice. These other, non-primary perspectives function both to establish Moby-Dick as a novel with numerous points of view and to clarify Ishmaels proclaim particular point of view on certain subjects. For instance, in The Ramadan Ishmael attempts to convince Queequeg of the ridiculous and wild-eyed nature of Queequegs religion. Ishmael quickly perceives that his attempt is ineffective. He writes, I do not think that my remarks about religion made much tactile sensation upon Queequeg. Because he somehow seemed dul l of hearing on that important subject, unless considered from his own point of view (88). In this passage and its, context are dickens important implications. First, in blatantly noting that Queequeg must see from his own point of view, Ishmael states and accepts that he and Queequeg view religion from different perspectives. Second, in stating in the context of this quotation his criticisms of Queequegs religion--that it is impractical, unhealthy, and without benefit to the soul - Ishmael reveals something of his own perspective on religion (87-88). Religion, or in the case of Moby-Dick, ones perspective on religion, is a substantial theme in the novel. Of this important subject, as Ishmael describes it, numerous voices in the narrative speak. The orthodox Christian v... ... of the omnipresence of God. He believes that religion should be practical and healthy. Ishmael believes that history is cyclical, not linear, and he believes in reincarnation. Ishmael believes that humans ar e the products of their interplay between chance, necessity, and free will. Ishmael argues for all these beliefs not on the basis of canonical revelation or discursive reasons, but on the basis of intuition and mystical insight. This is Ishmaels ghostlike perspective. But whose perspective is right? Is Ishmaels correct? Is Ahabs? Queequegs? Is the orthodox Christian perspective correct? Moby-Dick does not answer these questions. Ishmael tells the reader that the pulpit leads to the homo (46). Ishmael shows the reader that who is in the pulpit makes all the difference. Work CitedMelville, Herman. Moby-Dick. unexampled York, NY Bantam Books, 1981.