Comparing Henry David Thoreau and Herman Melvilles Writings

Comparing Henry David Thoreau and Herman Melvilles Writings Henry David Thoreau and Herman Melville focused their writings on how man was affected by nature. They translated their philosophies though both the portrayal of their protagonist and their own self exploration. In Moby Dick, Melville writes about Ahabs physical and metaphysical struggle over the great white whale, Moby Dick, symbolic of mans struggle against the overwhelming forces of nature. Ahabs quest is reported and experienced through the eyes of Ishmael. Melvilles use of the third persons biographical standpoint exposes conflicting viewpoints that were both in agreement and disagreement with Ahabs quest, creatively allowing Melville to transcend the story†¦show more content†¦This conflict becomes the warped and demonic idea of a man willing to take on the power s of Moby Dick which is the epitome of the greatest force in nature. Regardless of the onslaught, predestined for Ahab, he will be doomed to failure because of his monomaniacal spirited quest; As he shouted with a terrific, land, animal sob, like that of a heart stricken moose; Aye, aye! It was that accused white whale that raged me; made a pon pegging lumber of me forever and a day!Â… Aye, aye! And Ill chase him normal Good Hope, and round the Horn, and round the Norway Maelstrom, and round perditions flames before I give him up. Henry David Thoreau when writing about his experiences at Walden Pond indicated that mankind cannot be persuaded by the materialism of the world and must aspire to the highest goals of truth, virtue and independence for his existence. Thoreau would find this transcendental experience through the finest qualities existing in nature. He states that, most men, even in this comparatively free country through mere ignorance and mistake, are so occupied with the factitious cares and superfluously coarse labor of life that its finer fruits cannot be plucked by them (p. 790). Thoreau points out the weakening of mans original calling by the results of the industrial revolution, division of labor, the robotics of factory life and materialistic vision of life. The end result is self-destruction and depression of ones