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Transcendentalism In Moby Dick - Online Term Paper

Transcendentalism In Moby Dick

Transcendentalism is the essentially spiritual belief that the universe and God are all good. In Moby Dick by Herman Melville, transcendentalism is seen in one character primarily. This character, although at first assumed to be a vicious cannibal, is actually the kindest, most compassionate person in the novel. Queequeg the harpooner truly represents transcendentalism.
Often, throughout the novel, Queequeg is ridiculed by other sailors and townspeople alike because of his native background, and cultural customs. Queequeg, however, learns to get past these stereotypes and proves to be a highly spiritual person. In the very beginning of the story, Ismael is frightened to share a bed with ...

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is a force stronger than man which sustains life. Finally, when he and Ishmael sign aboard the Pequod, Bildad and Peleg give Queequeg a hard time because he is not a Christian, as was appropriate at the time. However, Queequeg has faith in himself and shows the men that he is an equal to all the Christian sailors by showing them his talents in the field of harpooning. This constant belief that he is an equal to all other men is a highly transcendental view, because at the time the novel is set in, these were many stereotypes and prejudices against people who were as different as Queequeg, yet he was able to rise above it and see the equality that should be.
Numerous rescues also show Queequeg’s ability to see the good in all men. The first man that he rescues in a man who was mocking him, however, Queequeg did not hold a grudge against the man because he believes that all men have a right to be on his world because God created them, and since God and creation are good, then so must ...

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Transcendentalism In Moby Dick. (2004, March 16). Retrieved February 16, 2026, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Transcendentalism-In-Moby-Dick/4680

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 3/16/2004 09:01:15 PM
Category: Book Reports
Type: Free Paper
Words: 568
Pages: 3

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