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==Introduction==[[File:Moby Dick one.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Herman Melville]]__NOTOC__There are many candidates for the title of the ‘Great American Novel’. One of the book’s that is often cited as the greatest American novel of all time is ‘Moby Dick’ (1851). This is one the best-known novel in the English language and has been translated into almost every language. It is perhaps not only the most famous novel about whaling but also the most famous novel about the sea that was ever written. A popular Hollywood movie, starring Gregory Peck, based on the novel was made in 1967 and the work also inspired a mini-series, starring Ethan Hawke (2011). The story of the obsessive Captain Ahab and his pursuit of the White Whale have entered the popular imagination. This article will discuss if Was the novel is based on a real-life historical event and figures.?

====The author of Moby Dick====Herman Melville, the author of the novel (1819-1892) was born in New York, into an affluent family, his father a merchant died when he was quite young. This left Melville and his family in a precarious financial position and dependent on relatives. The young man signed up to serve on a whaling ship and went to sea in 1840 on-board a whaling ship. In the 19th century, whales were hunted for their oil. While at sea the young Melville had many adventures .<ref> Delbanco, Andrew, Melville: His World and Work (New York: Knopf, 2005), p 23</ref>. In 1841 , he jumped ship in Tahiti and later joined another whaler. He became involved in a mutiny on board this ship and was briefly jailed. Melville served as an ordinary seaman on a US Navy frigate before he eventually returned home. Soon he became a full-time writer and had great success with his first novel Typee, based on his own adventures<ref>Delbanco, p 145</ref>. His later works were not commercially successful and the book that he is best known for, Moby Dick was a complete failure. Melville was obliged to work as a custom’s official and continued to write poetry and prose, but they were largely ignored. He died penniless and forgotten in 1891 in New York. Since then his fame has grown and his novels, short stories, and poems are regarded not only as classics of American literature but of World literature<ref>Delbanco, p 112</ref>. [[File:Moby Dick one.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Herman Melville]]

==The plot of the novel==The novel opens with the narrator Ishmael looking for Melville served as an ordinary seaman on a ship, US Navy frigate before he is a man who is seeking a purpose in lifeeventually returned home. He signs up to serve on Soon he became a whaling ship the Pequod ,in Nantucketfull-time writer and had great success with his first novel Typee,based on his own adventures. The captain of the ship is Ahab<ref>Delbanco, who over the course of the novel is shown to be unstable p 145</ref> His later works were not commercially successful and man possessed. Ishmael meets a host of colorful characters on-board the ship including Queequeg, and Fedallah, both harpooners. Captain Ahab has lost his leg in an encounter with a gigantic white sperm whale and book that he is consumed by a desire best known for revenge. He nails a gold coin to the mast and states that he will give it to the first man who sees the whale, the legendary Moby Dick. Ishmael soon realizes that this is not a typical whaling mission but was a revenge missioncomplete failure. The Pequod sails around the globe, hunting whales, but Ahab is only interested in finding Moby Dick. The ships have Melville was obliged to work as a number of adventures including being battered by a typhoon in the Pacific. One of the crew members prophesized that the whale will kill Ahab, this does not deter the one-legged captain custom’s official and he continues continued to pursue his vendetta. During the searchwrite poetry and prose, but they hear tales of the great white whale were largely ignored. He died penniless and forgotten in 1891 in one instance they learn that it New York. Since then his fame has recently sunk a ship. Finally, the Captain himself sees the whale grown and there begins a brutal three-day encounter between Ahab, his men, and Moby Dick. On the first daynovels, the captain and his crew attack the whale with harpoons from small boatsshort stories, but the white whale smashes the boat and nearly kills Ahab. Several sailors poems are lost that day. The following day Ahab and his crew again try and slaughter the whale regarded not only as classics of American literature but again it sinks the boats. On the third day, the captain once again, engages with Moby Dick, during this the whale is killed and Ahab also diesof World literature. The Pequod is badly damaged and sinks, and the only survivor is Ishmael, he floats in a wooden coffin until he is rescued<ref>Melville, Herman, Moby-Dick (LondonDelbanco, Penguin Books, 2012)p 112</ref>.  ====The plot of the novel====

====The adventures of Herman Melville==Melville was at sea for several years and had served on two whalers. During the mid-19th century, whaling was a huge industry and it employed tens of thousands of American sailors and was critical to the economy of the North-East of the United States. Melville’s description of life aboard a whaling ship is very accurate as a result. The manner in which the sailors lived and the difficult conditions that they endured are all very realistic. Many of the details of the Pequod are based on Melville’s own time spend on the whaler Acushnet. This ship was owned by a Quaker who may have been the model for the character Bildad. The crew of the ship that Melville served on was very diverse, they included Africans, Europeans, and Americans, and many may have served as models for some of his most memorable creations. Some critics believe that the diverse crew served as a symbol for America and its many different ethnicities and groups<ref> Talley, Sharon. Student Companion to Herman Melville. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 2007), p 19</ref>.==

==The literary tradition==Melville was a great creative writer at sea for several years and had served on two whalers. During the mid-19th century, whaling was a voracious reader huge industry and it employed tens of thousands of American sailors and like every other author, he was part critical to the economy of the North-East of a literary traditionthe United States. His imagination and his literary influences included Shakespeare, Homer and the Bible. Much Melville’s description of the work life aboard a whaling ship is based on very accurate as a result. The manner in which the imagination of sailors lived and the author and his preoccupations. Moby Dick is a work difficult conditions that is they endured are all very symbolic and one realistic. Many of its main themes according to many critics is the search for God <ref>Sten, Christopher. Sounding details of the Whale: Moby-Dick as Epic Novel (Ohio, New Kent State University Press, 1996), p 115</ref>. Ahab is possibly passed on the Israelite king Pequod are based on Melville’s own time spend on the whaler Acushnet. This ship was owned by a Quaker who led may have been the Hebrews away from model for the Lordcharacter Bildad. He The crew of the ship that Melville served on was a worshipper of idols very diverse, they included Africans, Europeans, and manyAmericans, readers in the 19th century would and many may have, interpreted Ahab’s obsession with the whale served as a form models for some of idolatry and sinfulhis most memorable creations. It is important to note Some critics believe that Melville was brought up in the diverse crew served as a strict Calvinist household symbol for America and its many different ethnicities and groups.</ref> DelbancoTalley, AndrewSharon. Student Companion to Herman Melville: His World and Work. New YorkWestport, Connecticut: KnopfGreenwood Press, 20052007), p 11319</ref>This is only one of the readings of the books, which is remarkably complex. Another influence on the work is Shakespeare ====The literary tradition====Melville was a great creative writer and was a voracious reader and like every other author, many believe that Ahab he was based on great tragic heroes such as King Lear part of a literary tradition. His imagination and Macbeth <ref> Brodheadhis literary influences included Shakespeare, Richard HHomer and the Bible., edMuch of the work is based on the imagination of the author and his preoccupations. New Essays on Moby-Dick (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1986), p 118</is a work that is very symbolic and one of its main themes according to many critics is the search for God.<ref>Sten, Christopher. Another possible model for Sounding the oneWhale: Moby-legged captain was the character of SatanDick as Epic Novel (Ohio, New Kent State University Press, 1996), in Milton’s epic poem Paradise Lost. Melville was also greatly influenced by non-fiction works, these included p 115</ref> Ahab is possibly passed on the famous Two Years Before Israelite king who led the Hebrews away from the MastLord. ==Sinking He was a worshipper of idols and many, readers in the Essex==Many historians and Melville scholars believe that 19th century would have, interpreted Ahab’s obsession with the main model for the Pequod whale as a form of idolatry and the story of Moby Dick was the tragic fate of the Essexsinful. This It is important to note that Melville was an American whalerbrought up in a strict Calvinist household.<ref> Delbanco, from Nantucket, MassachusettsAndrew. It was a very successful whaler Melville: His World and it was owned by a number of local citizensWork. New York: Knopf, which was the custom of the time. In 1820 2005), p 113</ref> This is only one of the readings of the ship was hunting whales in books, which is remarkably complex. Another influence on the South Pacific and it work is Shakespeare, many believe that Ahab was under the command of a Captain George Pollardbased on great tragic heroes such as King Lear and Macbeth. While hunting a huge sperm whale<ref> Brodhead, it turned and attacked the vessel <ref> SeverinRichard H., Timothy, and Tim Serverined. In search of New Essays on Moby -Dick: Quest for the white whale (LondonCambridge, LittleCambridge University Press, Brown, 19991986), p. 18118</ref>. The Essex Another possible model for the one-legged captain was so badly damaged by the mammal that it could not sailcharacter of Satan, in Milton’s epic poem Paradise Lost. The 20 men on board had little food and even less water and forced to leave Melville was also greatly influenced by non-fiction works, these included the famous Two Years Before the sinking ship in small boats in Mast. ====Sinking of the hope of reaching land, but they were thousands of miles Essex====Many historians and Melville scholars believe that the main model for the coast of South America. The crew had no food and began to starve Pequod and in desperation, they began to eat the bodies story of Moby Dick was the tragic fate of those who died in the boatEssex. When there were no more corpses to eat This was an American whaler from Nantucket, the crew drew lots as to who would be killed Massachusetts. It was a very successful whaler and cannibalized. In totalit was owned by a number of local citizens, which was the records differcustom of the time. In 1820, some seven or eight men were eaten by their crewmates. They were eventually rescued by the ship was hunting whales in the South Pacific and it was under the command of a passing British shipCaptain George Pollard. Only eight men While hunting, out of a huge sperm whale attacked the original crew of twenty, survived vessel.<ref> SevereinSeverin, pTimothy, and Tim Serverin. 121</ref>. Some In search of Moby Dick: Quest for the survivors left an account of the sinking of the Essex and their privationswhite whale (London, Little, Brown, 1999), p. 18</ref> The most popular account Essex was written so badly damaged by Owen Chase, who was the first mate on the doomed shipmammal that it could not sail. It appears that Melville read this work, Narrative of the Most Extraordinary The 20 men on board had little food and even less water and Distressing Shipwreck of forced to leave the Whale-Ship Essex and even met Chase’ son. There are striking similarities between sinking ship in small boats in the fate hope of reaching land, but they were thousands of miles for the Essex coast of South America. The crew had no food and the Pequod. They were bothbegan to starve and in desperation, whalers, attacked by huge sperm whales which led they began to eat the loss bodies of life. However, there are some differences, those who died in the chief one is that boat. When there is were no cannibalism in more corpses to eat, the 1851 bookcrew drew lots as to who would be killed and cannibalized.  In 2015 a movie ‘In total, the heart of the Sea’records differ, was made based on the crew of the Essexsome seven or eight men were eaten by their crewmates. ==Mocha Dick==In They were eventually rescued by a passing British ship. Only eight men, out of the workoriginal crew of twenty, the gigantic whale attacked the Pequod and sank itsurvived.<ref> Severein, killing all the crew, except Ishmaelp. In 121</ref> Some of the 19th century, there were several instances survivors left an account of the sinking ofthe Essex and their privations. The most popular account was written by Owen Chase, mainly sperm whales attacking whalers, but they were very rarewho was the first mate on the doomed ship. HoweverIt appears that Melville read this work, more ships were damaged or sank after collisions with the mammals. Among one <i>Narrative of the well-known examples Most Extraordinary and Distressing Shipwreck of this whale, attacks were the Whale-Ship Essex. One possible model for the white whale was Mocha Dick <ref/i>Severein, pand even met Chase’ son.99</ref>There are striking similarities between the fate of the Essex and the Pequod. This was an albino In both, whalers were attacked by huge sperm whale who was described as gigantic and coated with barnacles and was very aggressivewhales which led to the loss of life. He lived in the waters of the Pacific OceanHowever, there are some differences, off the coast of Chile, and was often seen near chief one is that there is no cannibalism in the Island of Mocha1851 book. This In 2015 a movie ‘In the heart of the Sea’ was how he came to be named as Mocha Dick and he was an astonishing 100 feet long. The whale had possibly up to 100 encounters with whalers made based on the crew of the Essex.  ====Mocha Dick====In the book, a gigantic white whale attacked the Pequod and he survived them sank it, killing all <ref>Severeinthe crew, p 118</ref>except Ishmael. Sometimes if he did not feel threatened he would meekly swim net to a shipIn the 19th century, there were several instances of, mainly sperm whales attacking whalers, but they were very rare. If he was threatened by a harpooner he would strike boats However, more ships were damaged or sank after collisions with his massive fluke (at the end mammals. Among one of his tail) or leap from the water and fall on well-known examples of this whale, attacks were the vesselEssex. The whale became something of a legendAnbother possible model for the white whale was Mocha Dick.<ref>Severein, especially among mariners in Massachusettsp. It 99</ref> This was claimed that he an albino sperm whale who was killed in 1838 described as gigantic and coated with barnacles and that it took twenty harpoons to kill himwas very aggressive. However, it was also reported that he was seen He lived in the Arctic. There were many reports waters of huge white sperm whales in the 19th century Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Chile, and was often seen near the Island of Mocha Dick . This was not unique. There are undoubted similarities between this whale how he came to be named as Mocha Dick and Moby Dick, such as its color, size, and aggressionhe was an astonishing 100 feet long. It seems that Melville was aware of the story  The whale had possibly up to 100 encounters with whalers and it inspired him when he was writing his most memorable novelmay have survived all of them. ==Conclusion==Moby Dick is an amazing read and its plot and language make it <ref>Severein, p 118</ref> Sometimes, if he did not feel threatened he would meekly swim net to a unique piece of artship. One of the reasons why If he was threatened by a harpooner he would strike boats with his massive fluke (at the book is so memorable was its detail and its realistic depictions end of life his tail) or leap from the water and fall on a whaling ship and the dangers vessel. The whale became something of whaling in the 19th centurya legend, especially among mariners in Massachusetts. Melville’s great work is so powerful because it is It was claimed that he was killed in large part based on actual historical events 1838 and that the author actually experiences and witnessesit took twenty harpoons to kill him. Moby Dick offers great insight into However, it was also reported that he was seen in the Arctic. There were many reports of huge white sperm whales in the 19th century and Mocha Dick was not unique. There are undoubted similarities between this whale and Moby Dick, such as its color, size, and aggression. It seems that Melville was aware of the story and it inspired him when he was writing his most memorable novel. ====Conclusion====Moby Dick is an amazing read and its plot and language make it a unique piece of art. One of the reasons why the book is so memorable was its detail and its realistic depictions of life on a whaling industry in the 19th century. Melville appears to have based many of the characters he created on his old shipmates. ship and the dangers of whaling in the 19th century. Melville’s great work is so powerful because it is in large part based on actual historical events that the author actually experiences and witnesses. Moby Dick offers great insight into the whaling industry in the 19th century. Melville appears to have based many of the characters he created on his old shipmates. It also seems that he was greatly influenced by the tragic fate of the Essex and its crew. However, he only used elements of the story.  It also seems that he was greatly influenced by the tragic fate of the Essex and its crew. However, he only used elements of the story. Then it is almost certain that he had heard of the remarkable Mocha Dick and other huge white sperm whales. The tales of Mocha Dick no doubt, inspired the American writer in the creation of perhaps the most famous novel of the sea. However, the story of Moby Dick was also greatly influenced by the literary tradition, especially Shakespeare. The magnum opus of the New York-born author was also inspired by the bible, evident in its symbolism. The reader should see Moby Dick as a composite, of real historical events and the imagination of its author.

====Further Reading====

====References====<references/>[[Category:Wikis]][[Category:United States History]] [[Category: Historically Accurate]] [[Category:19th Century History]]