Comparing Henry David Thoreau And Herman Melvilles Writings :: essays research papers

equivalence Henry David Thoreau and Her firearm Melvilles WritingsHenry David Thoreau and Herman Melville focused their writings on howman was affected by nature. They translated their philosophies though both theportrayal of their protagonist and their have got self exploration. In Moby Dick,Melville writes about Ahabs physical and metaphysical struggle everyplace the greatwhite whale, Moby Dick, emblematic of mans struggle against the oerwhelmingforces of nature. Ahabs quest is report and experienced by the eyes of shipwreck survivor. Melvilles use of the third persons biographical standstill exposesconflicting viewpoints that were both in agreement and disagreement with Ahabsquest, creatively all in allowing Melville to pop off the story line and expostulatehis own philosophies. In contrast, Thoreau, wrote from an autobiographical outdoor stage revealing his own internal conflicts with mans struggle againstnature. In, Walden - A life in the Woods, Thoreau reveals his menta l andspiritual beliefs through a personal journey in which he strives to become intune with n ature, working non to be victorious over these universal forces, butrather to embark in harmony with nature, in tern exposing love and truth.Both authors attempt to lose it all aspects of nature and its relevanceto homophile life. They explore the powers and influences of nature over serviceman.However, Melville centers his point of view upon mankind in conflict withnatures forces, while Thoreau believes that if mankind experiences nature, wewill envelope ideas which will teach mankind to live harmoniously in our naturalenvironment in turn, allowing individuals to reach the highest levels ofachievement synergistically with nature.In Moby Dick, Herman Melville illustrates mans quest to attain thesupreme power of God through the monomaniacal Captain Ahab. Captain Ahab isobsessed with the desire to destroy Moby Dick, his nemesis, which is trulysymbolic of mans overwhelming quest to contro l and conquer nature. Melvilledepicts Ahab as an evil, egotistical human whose willingness to combat theforces of nature represents mans failure to understand his place in theuniverse. Melville uses Ishmael to voice his philosophies which portray Ahab asa crazy captain who fails to put one across that hes up an unconquerable force.Melville utilizes Ishmael further voice his life philosophies through grosslysymbolic statements like, "No, when I go to sea, I go as a simple sailor I havethe satisfaction that all is right that everybody else is one way or otherserved in more than the akin way - either in a physical or metaphysical point ofview." (pg. 14 - 15). Through, Ishmael, Melville expresses his longing, forbeauty and nature, and a t the same time he contrasts his desires against