Do you sympathize
with the characters? Which ones, and why?
Actually I
sympathize mostly with Captain Ahab. From Ishmael narration, we can see that
Ahab is an experienced and talented captain. I think, if I was a passenger, I
would feel safe when I know a captain with Ahab’s qualities is leading the
ship. It’s so pity that he cannot let go of his anger; he cannot make peace
with the bitter past. When the whaling voyage is approaching the end, Ahab
feels the divine atmosphere which encourages him to share his noble thoughts to
Starbuck. He knows that he can’t receive salvation if he keeps fighting the
more powerful power than his. Nevertheless, he keeps on his plan, and it leads
him to doom.
What does the setting
of the book tell you about the way human beings are shaped?
I can only
think of one thing: how men can often be so stubborn (and foolish). When he
knows very well that there is only one way to achieve salvation, he choose the
other—darker—way that will certainly lead him to death. That’s human beings’
weakness: arrogance; they think they can fight (and win from) God, their
Creator.
What exactly is the
writer telling you?
Men often
blame God for their misfortune, and they foolishly want to contest God for it.
It is as foolishly as taking revenge to a whale which has snatched your leg.
And why did it do so? Because you have hunted it first. If you let the whale in
peace, it would not have hurt you. And why must you hunt the whale? Isn’t it because
of your own greediness? So when we have misfortunes, we should reflect our own past.
Perhaps we have done wrong or wicked things to God and/or to others? Perhaps we
did not obey Him? Perhaps the misfortune is intended to lead us to repentance?
By fighting God, not only it would have been vain, but you put yourself farther
from Him and your own salvation.
In what sense is the
book true?
In man’s stubbornness
and foolishness to pick the wrong way only to justify his misfortunes. How often it is, when we get through bitterness or hardness of life, that we accuse God for
not loving us; for not being just. Instead of asking His forgiveness and let Him
help us, we nourish our wound and won’t let it go before we get even with
someone/something, or…..sometimes, with God! It is so true, and I have read in
Ruth’s post that Melville, in a way, has been through the same path himself,
that inspired him to write this wonderful book.
~~~~~~~~~
Fanda, this review was so good! I was excited about reading your answers. Great job!
ReplyDeleteI, haven't read your answers. Ha! Will do that, though. I am curious to know what others think about Moby Dick. It's really not easy to find what's underneath the story.
DeleteExcellent review, Fanda! The reference in your last paragraph as to how incidents in Moby Dick reflected Melville's own experiences, really brought home to me (once again) the importance of knowing something about the author before your read their works. Just some basic information about them can make the book so much more meaningful!
ReplyDeleteHmm...but I always think that reading about the author before reading the book, would affect our objectivity. I prefer to read the books first, if I like them, than perhaps I will be interesting to know more about the author.
DeleteIf the reader knows something about the author ……… their worldview, perceptions, idiosyncrasies …… it gives him more insight into whatever work of that author they are reading. For example, I know quite a bit about C.S. Lewis and it is so much easier to pick up certain themes and ideas that Lewis means to express in his books. But you are right; it's not necessary.
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