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

Perspective on Religion Herman Melvilles Moby-Dick A cornerstone of the philosophical and chronicle substructure of Herman Melvilles Moby-Dick is point of collect, or posture. The textually primary point of side in the novel is shipwreck survivors, since he is the narrator of the story. However, pariah relates his story in much(prenominal) a way that one can easily detect legion(predicate) other voices, or other perspectives, in the story, which often oppose the narrators voice. These other, non-primary perspectives perish both to establish Moby-Dick as a novel with numerous points of view and to clarify Ishmaels own particular point of view on certain(a) subjects. For instance, in The Ramadan Ishmael attempts to convince Queequeg of the ridiculous and impractical nature of Queequegs organized religion. Ishmael quickly perceives that his attempt is ineffective. He writes, I do non moot that my remarks about religion made much impression upon Queequeg. Because he in some way seemed dull of hearing on that important subject, unless considered from his own point of view (88). In this passage and its, context are two 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 character 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 satisfying 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 are 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, unless on the basis of intuition and mystical insight. This is Ishmaels religious 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 referee that the pulpit leads to the world (46). Ishmael shows the reader that who is in the pulpit makes all the difference. Work CitedMelville, Herman. Moby-Dick. New York, NY Bantam Books, 1981.