NCHS AP English Language

Hannah Robinson - number 7 "The Whiteness of the Whale"

"The Whiteness of the Whale" is one chapter in Moby Dick where Ishmael classifies what he believes to be so frightening about the whale, Moby Dick. Whiteness in all different cultures symbolizes different things; such as in America white usually means purity, while in Korea white means mourning. Ishmael uses many different allusions of white by landscapes, animals, and theology. Each one of these allusions however portrays different meanings for whites.

Some of the allusions of animals include the references to the human man itself. Much of humankind, considered a mammal and animal, portrays the white man much triumph over many tribes, associations, and other races of people in the world. Another example of an animal reference to white is the reference of the use of mild drawn from white steeds used by the supreme kings and queens of the world. These references to white however bring about a positive attitude; much fear and negativity can be brought about by white also. The "white bears of the poles, ad the white shark of the tropics" both instill fear in most creatures today. The white phantom sails, the albino, and the ghost of our minds, all these inspire fear in our hearts whether it from the "ghastly whiteness" or the awe it brings; somehow the whiteness affects us.

White, in many religions, signifies something great whether wonderful or desolate. Many references to the use of white in the religions of Greek mythology, Christianity, Iroquois religion, and Persian worship are made.
"Though even in the higher mysteries of the most august religions it has been made the symbol of the divine spotlessness and power; by the Persian fire worshipers, the white forked flame being held the holiest on the alter; and in the Greek mythologies, Great Jove himself being made incarnate in a snow-white bull; and through the noble Iroquois, the midwinter sacrifice of the sacred White Dog was by far the holiest festival of their theology, that spotless, faithful creature being held the purest envoy they could send to the Great Spirit with the annual tidings of their own fidelity; and through directly form the Latin word for white, all Christian priests derive the name of one part of their sacred vesture, the alb or tunic, worn beneath the cassock; and though among the holy pomps of the Roman faith, white is specially employed in the celebration of the Passion of our Lord." (Pg 231)

The last category of allusions is the allusions of the land and architecture. Throughout this chapter in Moby Dick there are references to the beauty and danger of the snow, the eeriness of the "milk-white fog", and the white stone the marked a joyful day for all Romans.

All these different allusions and descriptions of white do reveal something about Moby Dick. These allusions reveal that Moby Dick is just as mysterious as white; while it implants a great trepidation in many, the whale also inspires awe and wonder. How can a whale be so huge and mystifying?

Hannah Robinson

posted by NCHS AP English Language III @ 9:47 AM