Oceans of Meaning: A Blue Humanities Reading of Moby-Dick

Abstract

Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick has long been celebrated as a monumental work of American literature, but a reading through the lens of the Blue Humanities reveals new dimensions of its oceanic imagination. This perspective shifts attention from land-based narratives to the centrality of water in shaping human culture, identity, and ecological consciousness. In Moby-Dick, the sea emerges not as a passive backdrop but as an active, dynamic force that mirrors the uncertainties, dangers, and mysteries of human existence. The vastness of the Pacific Ocean becomes a symbol of both possibility and peril, underscoring the limits of human knowledge and ambition. Captain Ahab’s relentless pursuit of the white whale highlights the destructive consequences of trying to dominate nature, while Ishmael’s reflective passages invite readers to see the ocean as a site of philosophical depth and spiritual renewal. The novel also foregrounds the global and multicultural dimensions of maritime life, with the Pequod’s diverse crew serving as a microcosm of interconnected oceanic economies and cultural exchanges. At the same time, Melville’s meticulous descriptions of whales, whaling practices, and marine environments anticipate contemporary ecological concerns, offering insights into the exploitation of marine life and the need for a more sustainable relationship with the ocean. By integrating ecological, cultural, and symbolic interpretations, this study positions Moby-Dick as a foundational text within the Blue Humanities, illustrating how literature can capture the fluid, transformative, and ethically charged nature of water. Such an approach not only enriches our understanding of Melville’s novel but also contributes to broader discussions on climate change, ecological justice, and humanity’s everlasting entanglement with the sea.