모비딕에 나타난 초월주의와 그 특징

Abstract

The transcendentalism in Moby-Dick is the combined outcome of Melville’s checkered experiences and the turbulent American society in the 19th century. So, it assumes a distinctive aspect, different from others’, imbued with thoughts on Confucianism, Hinduism, Mohammedan, Upanishads, etc. To convey these diverse elements, Melville put manifolded heroes in his work. Ishmael, Melville’s altar-ego, unfolds the story of Moby-Dick as a narrator. He symbolically identified himself with Queequeg, a barbarian, to realize his ideal world. Queequeg is depicted as a supernatural man who follows and practises the transcendental thoughts as the man who loves all, transcending creed, color, religion, and race. Also, though stammering, he performs his duty faithfully and nimbly, braving death, which enables him to be reputed as a noble man like the gentleman called by Confucius. Melville-Ishmael gives an explanation of his having experienced the pantheistic world in marine life, harmonizing himself with the flow of the sea. The transcendentalism in Moby-Dick is not a theoretical and romantic one in vogue at that time, but a unique and diverse one tinged with oriental and empirical elements. Through this, Melville tried to instill a new vision of hope, morality and value into Western society.