NCHS AP English Language

Initial Ahab Archetype (Chris Fitzer, Catherine Samson, Dani Lewis, Jessica Huff)

Ahab has the archetype of a vengeful yet heroic static character. He is so fixated on the prospect of getting revenge by Moby Dick. This emotional desire causes him to have a seemingly one-dimensional character; in most literature the one-dimensional character, if unable to change and grow, will ultimately reach his or her downfall. Ahab has the persona of a statuesque hero and ruler of the seas. Nevertheless his extreme focus on the finding of this white whale constricts him from developing and forbids the rest of his character to show. Just as he threw his lighted pipe into the sea to continue to sail instead, Ahab denies himself leisure to go and pursue Moby Dick. Biblically, King Ahab believes undoubtedly in the power of Baal that when Elijah shows the true power of the one and only God, Ahab eventually meets his downfall because he was unable to change.
Our group believes that if Ahab is unable to change, he will ultimately die or come to a even worse end.

posted by NCHS AP English Language III @ 8:07 AM