Herman Melville was born august 1st, 1819 in New York City and died on September 28 1891, Melvilles lived with 3 other brothers and 4 other sisters, he was seen as having a docile and amiable disposition. Herman attended the Albany Classical School in 1835 and was a member of the local debating society, after first attempting to become a teacher he found himself on a merchant ship where he found his inspiration for writing his novels.

Herman Melville’s greatest work is no doubt the story of “Moby Dick” In this book captain Ahab seeks revenge after a white sperm whale “Moby dick” took his leg and stops at nothing to get it. This book was based off Herman Melvilles own experience on a whaler in his travels, he says that he found inspiration in his friends including Nathaniel, at first the book was named “the Whale” but was changed to “Moby Dick” when published. His book did not see fame during the first years of its release, only after half a century later will it would be recognized as one of the greatest novels ever written.

When Herman Melville died, his fame was most noticeable in America, he would be called of the most influential and inspiring writers to exist. His book “Moby Dick” gave readers the experience of what it was like to be a whaler and was very accurate in his representation because he was once one a ship like that before. He was able to encompass the fear and tension that a whale hunt is full of.

In their pursuit of the white whale captain Ahab talks about the weakness of man

“All mortal greatness is but disease.”

This quote is important because it imbodies the meaning behind the novel by showing us that because of Captain Ahab’s thirst for revenge was eventually his own demise. The book does a good job showing this by representing Captain Ahab’s death.

This essential question covers the main events in teh story and puts into questions whether Captain Ahab’s actions were justified or was he too consumed in his own madness?


Revenge may be a natural emotion that everyone feels, its become a whole other issue when we let it control our actions, In Captain Ahab’s case, he went to the farthest lengths to kill the white whale, and in the end he did not kill the whale, instead he killed himself and many of his crew members, It can be understood that Revenge (if left unchecked) can lead to your own downfall.