E X T E N S I O N MOBY DICK, AN ALLEGORICAL NOVEL Moby Dick is not just a simple tale of a man s hunt for a whale. It is a complex work of literature that explores themes of obsession, revenge, fate, and the human condition. The novel may be read as an allegory for humans search for life meaning. Ahab s determination to pursue1 and hunt Moby Dick is symbolic of man s desire to master2 nature and understand life s mystery. Besides, the search for Moby Dick can be interpreted as a metaphor for the search for God. Ahab s obsession with the whale has been seen as a symbol of man s destructive and self-destructive nature. In Moby Dick, Herman Melville uses allegory to explore complex themes, such as the human condition, the nature of evil, and the search for the meaning of life. One of the most important allegories in Moby Dick is the white whale itself, which represents the elusive3 nature of truth and knowledge. Ahab s pursuit4 of the whale symbolizes humanity s never-ending search for answers and understanding. The mysterious whale highlights the mystery of existence and his elusiveness shows the limits of human knowledge. Another allegory in the novel is the character of Ishmael, who acts as a symbol of the everyman. Ishmael is a common sailor who joins Ahab s crew, and his experiences on the Pequod represent man s struggle to nd meaning and purpose in life. Through Ishmael s eyes, readers are able to explore the deeper themes of the novel and gain a greater understanding of the human condition. The novel suggests that the search for truth is an endless journey, and that the answers to life s biggest questions may never be fully understood. 1. pursue: to follow someone or something, usually to try to catch or kill them. 2. master: to gain control of an animal, a person or the surrounding world. 3. elusive: difficult to find, define or achieve. 4. pursuit: the act of trying to achieve a plan, activity or situation. 117