Moby Dick was written by Herman Melville (1818 – 1891) in 1851 and has become one of the best known classical literary pieces in American history.  Herman Melville served aboard a whaling vessel and his experiences with whaling process is incorporated into in the novel.  Extremely detailed descriptions of whaling are prominent in the novel.  The story describes the adventures of Ishmael, a seaman and whaler as he travels the worlds oceans in search of the great white sperm whale, Moby Dick.

The story begins with the main protagonist, Ishmael’s joining the whaling vessel, Pequod.  The Pequod is led by captain Ahab, a man obsessed with tracking and killing Moby Dick.  Some time earlier, Ahab had lost his leg in a battle with Moby Dick.  Most whales are peaceful and docile however, Moby Dick was an extraordinarily large, aggressive and ferocious whale.  Many whaling vessels have been damaged or destroyed by Moby Dick. 

Other main characters in the story include: Starbuck, the intelligent first mate; Stubb the popular second mate; and Flask, the third mate.  The ship had three harpooners; Queequeg, Tashtego and Dagoo, each from different nationalities.  Queequeg and Ishmael become good friends.  At one point in the story, Queequeg becomes ill and believes he is about to die.  He requests that a coffin be constructed for him but because he survives, the coffin is not used.

On Christmas day, the Pequod sets sail from Massachusetts and the quest for the mighty Moby Dick begins.  The crew sails the oceans in search of the beast and after some time, meet the whaling vessel Rachel.  The captain of the Rachel tells Ahab a story of their battle with the great white whale.  He also discloses that Ahab’s son, a seaman on the Rachel has died in the fight.  Because the Rachel has been severely damaged, he requests assistance from Ahab, which is promptly denied.  Ahab leaves stricken Rachel behind and continues his pursuit of the whale.

The story comes to a climax when the Pequod encounters Moby Dick.  A fierce battle between the crew and Moby Dick leaves all crewmembers, with the exception of Ishmael, dead.  Ishmael is left adrift and only survives because the coffin constructed by Queequeg becomes his life boat.   Ironically, Ishmael is saved by the Rachel.

This is a complex story, full of symbolism.  For example, the whale symbolizes evil.   The Pequod, which is painted black and covered in whale bones symbolizes death and destruction.  Queequeg’s coffin alternately symbolizes first death (when constructed for Queequeg), and then life (when used as a lifeboat).

This story has become one of the best known in American novels.  It has been adapted for cinema several times, the most successful being the 1956 version starring Gregory Peck as Captain Ahab.  This work has also become required reading for most students of literature.  It is without doubt, one of the finest works in American literary history.