NCHS AP English Language

Ishmael archetype essay by Bobby Katoli

Everyone has what is called an archetype. In the Jungian sense an archetype is what we were born with. It is what our unconscious is. Our archetype is what ultimatley makes up our decisions. In Moby Dick the protagonist, Ishmael, has the archetype of an outsider.

According to Jung, Our archetype is who we are. He states that it is who we are at a given place and a moment. Archetypes are what influence and guide us although we may not know it, which is called our unconsciuos mind. Our unconscious mind reflects our cognition of the world. These cognitions of the world reside in our unconscious and what eventually makes up the decisions. Everyone has an archetype including Ishmael.

The archetype of Ishamel in the story is an outsider. When Ishmael first enters the inn, he is uncomfortable with Queequeg and the other sailors. He feels that he has to fit in with the crew. For example, Ishmael was very timid when the food was served at the inn and the other sailors indulged themselves with all the food on the plate, leaving Ishmale with nothing. At that moment, Ishmael felt that he should let the others take the food before him because he felt he was the newest member and had not proved himself yet. Since he felt that he has something to prove to the crew he could not convey his thoughts and was reluctant to speak up. When Ishamel was told to go up to the top of the ship and look out for whales he did it willingly because he thought he if he did that it would help him to fit in and would be accepted. After Ishmael cleansed his hand from infection by using the alcohol he was told to drink from and he accepted their wish even though he was relectant to do so because he thought it was another way to fit in.

In conlusion, Ishmael's archetype of the outsider makes him shy and timid. His outsider role is his disposition in that environment because he knows no one there and tries to make friends by doing the things the crew usually does. However, as the story progresses his archetype might change has gets to know the sailors and gains their trust.

posted by NCHS AP English Language III @ 1:49 PM