NCHS AP English Language

Ishmael Archetype

Caroline Ward
English III AP
B period- Mr. Oliver
10-5-06

"Archetypes by definition are nodal points or structural components of the collective unconscious that govern or influence our patterns of behavior. Archetypes are buried deep inside our unconscious waiting to be released; in these archetypes lay the clues to our tasks in life."

In other words, archetypes are part of your entire mind that dictate how you act with other people and with the world. Archetypes of people define them against the rest of the world. They innately make us who we are and define our characteristics that make us different from other people. For example, in Moby Dick, Ishmael is identified as an archetype of an outsider. He himself feels like an outsider, therefore making him believe he is inferior to the other people aboard the Pequod. Ishmael perceives himself as an outsider, so in turn other people do the same. His inferiority is evident in the first line of the novel, “Call me Ishmael.” His name, Ishmael, parallels the Biblical Ishmael who was an outsider. This simple instruction to just “call him Ishmael” signifies how he relates himself to the rest of humanity. Evident in his physical appearance are characteristics present in all outsiders in literature and in reality. Ishmael feels timid and presents himself as hesitant and unsure of himself. He shows this trait at dinner at Peter Coffin's boarding house when he waits until all the other intimidating men grab for the meat, leaving him without any food. Perhaps he does not feel worthy enough to say that he deserves any meat, or he is just scared to show any confidence in fear of rejection or embarrassment. He also exhibits this trait when he claims that he cannot choose the ship that he and Queequeg will be sailing on. He feels that Queequeg, since he had already been part of a crew on another ship, would be far more capable of choosing a reliable ship. Queequeg on the other hand, with the help of his pagan idol Yojo, puts his trust in Ishmael's ability. Ishmael starts to notice the hypocrisy of Christianity in modern times. So coming back to his namesake, the Ishmael in the Old Testament parallels the Ishmael in the novel Moby Dick. In addition, Ishmael never feels confident in doing work around the ship, and he does not feel the essential companionship necessary on board a whaling ship. He rarely allows anyone inside his mind, so no one can get to know him. He makes it harder for himself without even realizing the error in his ways. He relies on Queequeg for protection and assurance and perhaps therefore does not feel that he needs anyone else. Ishmael’s initial lack of self-esteem and general lack of confidence allow him to become the outsider of the novel Moby Dick. His actions, appearance, timidity, and his own name affect his archetype.

posted by Caroline Ward @ 3:13 PM