NCHS AP English Language

Symbol of White by Bobby Katoli

The color white as a symbol expresses power, fear, life, and death. Ishmael portrays many allusions to the color white by animals and myths. When one thinks of white, one usually thinks of purity or holiness. For example, a dove symbolizes peace and life. Contradictory to this idea of white as life, white can also mean death. Ahab conveys the image of Moby Dick as a powerful, massive white whale. As Ahab describes Moby Dick, he claims that Moby Dick is nothing like other whales. He is the most powerful of all whales. As described in the passage, Ahab dreads Moby Dick. He was the one that took the leg of Ahab. Moby dick, the whale, is life. However, he is also death. The example of Moby Dick as death is when Ahab's life is ultimately ended by Moby Dick, the "dismemberer."

posted by NCHS AP English Language III @ 6:50 PM