NCHS AP English Language

Chapter 37- Sunset, monomania - Lindsay Miller and Alissa Davis

Pathological obsession with one idea or subject.
Intent concentration on or exaggerated enthusiasm for a single subject or idea.
Found at: http://www.answers.com/topic/monomania

In Chapter 37, Captain Ahab has a long soliloquy expressing this monomania of his. At first, he speaks of leaving his trail through the waters as he pursues his goal. Next, he tells of the burden he feels on his shoulders, constantly bearing down on him, paining him almost. This burden is the burden of defeating the whale, which is constantly, as made apparent here, on his mind. Furthermore, he speaks of how he can no longer enjoy the lovely, amiable things like he used to. Now, all he can think about is his burden and the power in his hands to relieve himself of his burden if only he could find the being who caused it and defeat him. The last part of his soliloquy fully expresses to us his monomania and madness; he himself even mentions he believes to be mad. He speaks of how difficult the task is, but not difficult enough for him. He tells us of how it was prophesied that he would be dismembered, but he will get vengeance, and dismember his dismemberer. He pities his crew, who are so ordinary with common lives, nothing so driven as his. He also vaguely registers how he is dragging them along with him, to his demise, although he does not admit this openly, and probably theirs.
Captain Ahab is clearly a monomaniac. Throughout his soliloquy, which is where one expresses their inner thoughts and feelings, all he dwells upon is the whale and his want of revenge. He mentions the burden of it, taking the sad, pitiful route. He mentions the journey, and how long it has been. He also states how he has lost feeling for all other emotions and objects except for this whale and his feeling of hatred and vengeance towards it. Lastly, he portrays his full obsession, speaking crazily about his drive and obsession with destroying this beast that destroyed him. It is all he thinks about, his character flaw, and it will lead to his ultimate destruction and demise, as with every good masterpiece of word.

posted by Anonymous @ 8:02 AM