NCHS AP English Language

Chpt 2 Moby Dick analyzation of allusions - Hannah Robinson and Kate Pennebaker

Ishamel accidentally wanders into a church service and says that it reminded him of "The great Black Parliament sitting in Tophet." The Black Parliament in Tophet is a biblical reference found in Jeremiah 7:31. Tophet is a shrine located in the valley of Hinnon, which is just south of ancient Jerusalem. Human sacrifices were often made there, particularly those of children. One human sacrifice performed was to Moloch, a divinity worshiped by idolotrous ancient Israelites. He quickly leaves the Church and wanders upon "The Spouter Inn". Ishmael describes the building as leaning sadly and on a "sharp bleak corner, where that tempestuous wind Euroclydon was howling". Eurocldydon is also a biblical refernece to the wind that shipwrecked Paul in acts 27:14. He later talks about Lazarus who, in the Bible, is a diseased beggar. He compares himself to Lazarus in the sense that both of them are alone, with noone, out in the cold.He compares the richer inn's to Old dives who is the rich man in the parable of Lazarus who goest to hell for ignoring Lazarus.

kate pennebaker
hannah robinson

posted by NCHS AP English Language III @ 9:16 AM