Symbolism and Foreshadowing in Herman Melville's Moby Dick.

"Do human beings have free will or free choice and if not who or what shapes human destiny?" (McSweeney 9) Herman Melville utilizes Father Mapple's sermon in his nineteenth century epic novel Moby Dick, to illustrate the duality of mankind. Mortal man pursues his own singular interests with selfish intent; however, God has prevailing intentions, which are often beyond the comprehension of the individual. Melville expands and elaborates this theme throughout his epic work. The sermon …showed first 75 words of 1778 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1778 total…provides a parable for Captain Ahab's command of the Pequod's tragic voyage. Upon leaving the church Ishmael does not recall Father Mapple, nor the sermon, because he is in an "in-out" world of romantics, not in the "up-down" world of Christians. The main message in these chapters is that "...to be reborn one must forget self in the service of God- thus, and only thus, may happiness (delight) be found, the truest selfhood attained." (Vincent 74)