Democracy In The Moby Dick

The Pequod represents a society of its own, with its diverse members, that traverses unto its doomed fate under the governance of a man with a monomaniacal agenda, Ahab. Melville presents Ahab as a symbol of authoritative force, at the apex of the pyramid commanding the hierarchy of Pequod society; under the force of such absolute power, the democracy of the other men on the ship falls apart. This democracy is represented by Ishmael and Queequeg’s charged relationship along with the varied intentions of all the crewmen to be on the voyage, which is eventually submitted in deference to Ahab and his desires. Ahab’s inwardly-driven, obsessive quest to kill Moby-Dick symbolizes a fight against the undeniable force of nature, which creates tension, running parallel to Ishmael’s quest for Truth. Here, Melville comments on the doomed fate of a society that attempts to bring ‘under control’ its natural tendency towards democracy, independence, and unique identities. A nation that suppresses and fights against its own undefinable force, at the heart of which lies racial coexistence, inclusivity, freedom, and representation, will lead a destructive journey unto its own imminent death.

Interestingly, the rest of the crew eventually unites with Ahab in wishing to help him achieve his dangerous agenda, notwithstanding its misalignment with their personal goals. As Ahab himself exclaims 'What is it, what nameless, inscrutable, unearthly thing is it; what cozening, hidden lord and master, and cruel, remorseless emperor commands me; that against all natural lovings and longings, I so keep pushing, and crowding, and jamming myself on all the time; recklessly making me ready to do what in my own proper, natural heart, I durst not so much as a dare?” Melville invites readers to ponder a deeper question about societal expectations, how we choose to behave in the presence of other people; if the most radically democratic individuals are susceptible to the draw of power, at odds with their own safety and independence, what does it say about society, the allocation of power and the cultivation of mob mentality? He haunts us with the idea that democracy and totalitarianism might not be two fixed poles of a spectrum; just as Ishmael’s democratic worldview is eventually subsumed by Ahab’s ideals on the ship, all democratic political systems can transgress towards authoritarianism, under capitalism.

The termination of the quest renders Ishmael the lone survivor as every other crew member dies; however, it is Queequeg’s coffin that offers protection to and saves Ishmael’s life. Throughout the journey, as Queequeg’s presence in the narrative diminishes increasingly until his eventual death under Ahab’s dictatorship, Melville showcases the crushing of interracial romance by the walls of an undemocratic society. Though the romance doesn’t survive, it is the symbolic support and shelter of the savage that keeps the civilized alive. In killing Ahab off but keeping Ishmael alive, Melville grapples with the idea that the success of any sort of deeper, philosophical quest is linked to companionship and human connection; Ahab’s isolated, obsessive agenda proves his journey destructive, whereas the democracy of Queequeg’s relationship with Ishmael allows him to survive.

Melville takes it one step further in identifying this democracy as interracial. Despite the difficulty of such a relationship in the face of reality (the Pequod), we see how it is the savage that not only enhances the spiritual development of the civilized but is also essential to his survival in the world. This interpretation provides a complex understanding of race and identity in society; Melville seems to suggest that suppression of racial inclusivity and democracy might succeed at face value in extrinsic reality but is internally detrimental and will lead to destruction. Further, he posits that it is the democratically appointed power in the hands of hierarchical, anti-democratic figures that will sink the ship of society.