How does the theme of masculinity tie into the events of "Moby
Dick"?
The theme of masculinity is a prevalent theme in "Moby Dick." The novel is set
in a male-dominated world, and its characters are primarily male. Melville uses
the novel to explore the different aspects of masculinity, including physicality,
courage, and camaraderie.
The character of Captain Ahab represents a toxic form of masculinity. He is
obsessed with revenge and cannot back down from a challenge, leading him
to pursue the whale to his own destruction. However, the novel also presents
a more positive vision of masculinity through the camaraderie and
brotherhood shared among the crew of the Pequod.
Ishmael, the narrator of the novel, offers a more nuanced perspective on
masculinity. He is not a conventionally masculine character, soft-spoken and
contemplative rather than aggressive and physical. However, he is still able to
hold his own on the whaling ship, and his sensitivity allows him to form close
bonds with his fellow crew members.
Throughout the novel, Melville raises questions about what it means to be a
man and the different ways that masculinity can be expressed. Ultimately,
"Moby Dick" offers a complex exploration of the theme of masculinity that
continues to resonate with readers today.
References:
Gordon, R. K. (1999). "Beyond the White Shadow": Herman Melville's "Billy Budd," "Barry
Lyndon," and Masculine Same-Sex Desire. In Criticism, Crisis, and Contemporary Narrative
(pp. 39-56). University of Delaware Press.
Kaplan, L. (2017). Queering Moby-Dick. American Literature, 89(4), 795-823.
Sedgwick, E. K. (1985). Melville and the Materiality of Fatherhood. Studies in the Novel,
17(3), 304-322.
Image source: https://pixabay.com/photos/man-boat-stormy-sea-2617324/