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Anthropomorphism
Foil
Explanation and Analysis—Ishmael and Ahab :
Ishmael in many ways functions as a foil to Ahab, with his acceptance of the limits of his own knowledge and power in the world contrasting Ahab’s belief in his own ultimate power and ability to overcome nature. Readers can see this reflected in the different roles the two characters play, with Ahab’s dominance gaining extra emphasis from its contrast to Ishmael’s humility. While Ahab is shown to be a dictating and domineering commander, Ishmael’s role as a crew member is mostly marginal. While Ishmael is content to follow the action and accepts that he does not have full control, Ahab is always determined to lead, believing that if he tries hard enough he'll be able to gain control over his own narrative.
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Chapter 26: Knights and Squires
Explanation and Analysis—Starbuck and Ahab :
Starbuck’s pragmatism functions as a foil for Ahab’s impulsiveness, and this emphasizes the irrationality of Ahab’s drive for vengeance. Stubb introduces Starbuck by saying that he's “as careful a man as you’ll find anywhere in this fishery,” thus immediately bestowing him with a reputation for caution and sense. Ishmael goes on to describe Starbuck’s attitude towards whaling by saying:
Unlock with LitCharts A+He had no fancy for lowering for whales after sun-down; nor for persisting in fighting a fish that too much persisted in fighting him. For, thought Starbuck, I am here in this critical ocean to kill whales for my living, and not to be killed by them for theirs.
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Chapter 36: The Quarter-Deck
Explanation and Analysis—Starbuck and Ahab :
Starbuck’s pragmatism functions as a foil for Ahab’s impulsiveness, and this emphasizes the irrationality of Ahab’s drive for vengeance. Stubb introduces Starbuck by saying that he's “as careful a man as you’ll find anywhere in this fishery,” thus immediately bestowing him with a reputation for caution and sense. Ishmael goes on to describe Starbuck’s attitude towards whaling by saying:
Unlock with LitCharts A+He had no fancy for lowering for whales after sun-down; nor for persisting in fighting a fish that too much persisted in fighting him. For, thought Starbuck, I am here in this critical ocean to kill whales for my living, and not to be killed by them for theirs.
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Chapter 100: Leg and Arm
Explanation and Analysis—Captain Boomer and Ahab :
Captain Boomer, who has lost his arm to Moby Dick, functions as a foil to Ahab because he responds to his own dismemberment much differently than Ahab responds. The fact that one lost a leg and the other an arm to Moby Dick clearly spotlights Melville's desire to present Ahab and Boomer as mirror images of each other.
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