Beginning of Essay
The moral ambiguity of the universe is prevalent throughout Melville’s . None of the characters represent pure evil or pure goodness. Even Melville’s description of Ahab, whom he repeatedly refers to "monomaniacal," suggesting an amorality or psychosis, is giv ....

Middle of Essay
.... of semicolons. By ending the book so curtly, Melville makes a virtually negligible attempt at denouement, leaving what value judgements exist to the reader. Ultimately, it is the dichotomy between the respective fortunes of Ishmael and Ahab that the reader is left with. Herein lies a greater moral ambiguity than is previously suggested. Although Ishmael is the sole survivor of the Pequod, it is notable that in his own way, Ahab fulfills his desire for revenge by ensuring the destruction of the White Whale alongside his own end. Despite the seeming superiority of Ishmael’s destiny, Melville does not explicitly indicate so. On the contrary, he subtl ....