FREE ESSAY ON MOBY DICK - BROTHERHOOD IS INTRODUCED

MOBY DICK - BROTHERHOOD IS INTRODUCED

In the intricate novel of Herman Melville's Moby Dick, the notion of a "universal
brotherhood of Man" is introduced in the first fifteen chapters. Melville uses the
relationship of Ishmael and Queequeg and the everyday standards of the shipmen to
illustrate these ideas. A theme of the novel is the idea of comradeship between human
beings, no matter how different. In the following essay, I will analyze and explain this
concept by incorporating events that coincide.
The theme of universal brotherhood of Man is first introduced in the third chapter. After
Ishmael finally found an inn to stay in, The Spouter-Inn, and got a chance to get
familiarized with the place, he watched as the newly arrived shipmates took pleasure in
each other's presence. These men drank and had fun, feeling happy-go-lucky and limitless.
However, Ishmael noticed a shipmate that stood out. "...One of them held somewhat
aloof... This man interested me at once." (Page 14) This shipmate was subdued and did not
make as much of a ruckus as the other men and while these men were at the peak of their
gaiety, he snuck out of the bar. When the men noticed that Bulkington, the quiet man, was
gone, they all went searching for him. "`Bulkington! Bulkington! Where's Bulkington?' and
darted out of the house in pursuit of him." (Page 15) This incident shows the brotherhood
of Man. Even if one was to be the outcast of a group, he is still part of the group and
when the 'outcast' disappears, part of the group is missing. That is why those shipmen
looked for Bulkington. They had a special bond with each other - a brotherly bond -
universally shared. 
Another example of the brotherhood of Man is depicted through the relationship between
Ishmael and Queequeg. When Ishmael firsts meets Queequeg, he was startled by his
appearance and tentative about sleeping with him. However, Ishmael looks beyond his
appearance in hopes that Queequeg is a really benign and decides to give it a shot. Later
on in the story Ishmael sees Queequeg as a man of honest heart, dignity and greet
courage. The next morning, when Ishmael wakes up, he finds Queequeg's arms over him. "I
found Queeueg's arm thrown over me in the most loving and affectionate way. You had
almost thought I had been his wife" (page 24) Here is an example of brotherly love. Only
knowing each other for a few hours, Queequeg felt comfortable enough to put his arm
around Ishmael in a loving manner. Also, when Ishmael wakes Queequeg up to get his arm
off him, Queequeg does so in a polite manner, even after Ishmael rudely wakes him up.
Queequeg respects Ishmael like a brother, and Ishmael feels the same. Eventually,
Queequeg feels so comfortable with Ishmael that he gives half of everything he owns to
Ishmael. They knew each other for only a short period of time, yet they treat each other
as family.
Lastly, a situation that happened in the novel concerning the brotherhood of Man happened
in Chapter 7 in the chapel. A lot of people gathered in the chapel to mourn the deaths of
loved one, friends, and even those with no relation. Even Ishmael and Queequeg were there
although they knew no one there. This shows the brotherhood of Man because everyone is
gathered in one congregation mourning for the loss of their fellow brothers, whom they
loved dearly. Everyone shares a common love for their peers, even if they did not know
them.
To conclude, one of the major themes of the book Moby Dick is the idea of universal
brotherhood in Man. The shipmen who cared for each other, the people gathered in the
chapel and the relationship between Ishmael and Queequeg both illustrate that theme.
Melville wanted to show the readers that there is a unique but special solidarity between
humans that cannot be stopped. We all care about each other and treat each other as if we
were all family.