Moby-Dick Moby-Dick Moby-Dick; or, The Whale is an 1851 novel by American writer Herman Melville. The book is sailor Ishmael's narrative of the obsessive quest of Ahab, captain of the whaling ship "Pequod", for revenge on Moby Dick, the white whale that on the ship's previous voyage bit off Ahab's leg at the knee. A contribution to the literature of the American Renaissance, the work's genre classifications range from late Romantic to early Symbolist. "Moby-Dick" was published to mixed reviews, was a commercial failure, and was out of print at the time of the author's death in 1891. Its reputation as
Moby-Dick (opera) wants to sight Moby Dick first. Below deck, Queequeg tells Greenhorn that he is dying and asks that a coffin be built for him. Pip begins to sing a lament, in which Greenhorn joins in. The storm now surrounds the "Pequod". Ahab sings defiantly, whilst lightning bolts engulf the ship and the masts glow with St. Elmo's fire. Ahab demands that the men hold their posts, stating that the white flame is a sign from heaven to guide them to Moby Dick. This freshy inspires the crew, to Starbuck's dismay. "Scenes 4-7. Day Four: The next morning" The "Pequod" has