Theme Of Horror And Suspense In Moby Dick

Moby-Dick is a combination of most elements found in the gothic literature genre, including horror, supernatural events, unexplained forces, and suspense. Captain Ahab and his crew are put on this perilous journey in search of a phantom-like whale while encountering many omens that come with whaling. A large part of gothic literature comes along with the elements of horror and suspense which is commonly introduced to the readers when they least expect it. When the Pequod first sets sail, the introduction to Ahab’s character has been limited to only rumors that have been spread by Captain Bildad, Captain Peleg, and Elijah. Captain Ahab’s character was portrayed as one to feel sorrow for especially after losing his leg during a voyage, but on

He is an unknown force that haunts Ahab and drives him into insanity. It creates the feeling that something is always lurking underwater watching the Pequod while the surface is benign. The chapter that best describes this feeling would be chapter 42: The Whiteness of the Whale. In this chapter Ishmael is able to capture the feeling of not knowing what to expect. He states that white is usually referred to being pure and innocent but once associated with a creature, it creates a horrific outcome. Whiteness also creates a sort of fear of unknowingness since “...by its indefiniteness it shadows forth the heartless voids and immensities of the universe...that as in essence whiteness is not so much a color as the visible absence of color…”(Melville 165). The whiteness of Moby Dick combined with the terrifying nature of his species creates even more horror than the cool grey sperm whale they hunt daily. With each encounter with other ships, Captain Ahab and his crew seem closer and closer to finding Moby Dick especially when they meet the captain from Rachel and Delight. Rachel had just been hunting Moby Dick when he may have tugged their spare boat away

Even from the very beginning of Moby-Dick, curses and prophecies are shown whether or not it was obvious to Ishmael or the reader. The more obvious markers in the book are usually told to us by the characters. An apparent omen is seen from before setting sail by Ishmael himself as he and Queequeg navigated their way around Nantucket only to stumble across it. From the Spouter-Inn they had stayed at before traveling to Nantucket, Peter Coffin recommends them to The Try Pots, an inn run by Coffin’s cousin. Just by Coffin’s name being a box the deceased are kept in, it is a clear indication of Ishmael and Queequeg being sent to their doom. As they arrive at the Try Pots Inn, they are greeted at the entrance by two black pots hung on the cross-trees which has a likeness to the gallows, a frame used for executing by hanging. Ishmael interprets this as a ominous greeting thinking that there is one black pot for both Queequeg and himself. As the story progresses further into the end of the book, Queequeg’s coffin ends up being used as a life buoy. Ahab points this out and states that it is ironic that the carpenter has started to play God by going backwards from death to life. Even Ahab’s ivory leg is ironic since the carpenter is taking a piece of a dead whale and attaching it to a live man so that he can live more comfortably. Another evident omen would be pointed out by