Moby-Dick is an 1851 epic novel by Herman Melville that tells the story of Ishmael, a sailor who narrates the obsessive and vengeful quest of Captain Ahab, commander of the whaling ship Pequod, to hunt down Moby Dick, a giant white sperm whale that had previously maimed Ahab by biting off his leg
. The novel combines detailed and realistic descriptions of whale hunting, life aboard a culturally diverse ship crew, and the process of extracting whale oil with deep explorations of themes such as good and evil, class, social status, and the existence of God
. The narrative follows the Pequod's voyage as Ahab pursues the whale relentlessly, disregarding the dangers and the disapproval of his first mate, Starbuck
. The story culminates in a violent three-day confrontation with Moby Dick, which results in the destruction of the ship and the death of almost everyone except Ishmael, who survives by floating on a coffin turned lifeboat
. Beyond the adventure, Moby-Dick is rich in symbolism and allegory, drawing on biblical and literary references. Characters' names, such as Ishmael and Ahab, carry religious significance, and the whale itself can be seen as an idol or an unknowable force
. The novel also addresses race and human nature, exemplified by the diverse crew and characters like Pip, a Black cabin boy
. Initially met with mixed reviews and commercial failure, Moby-Dick's reputation grew over the 20th century to become regarded as one of the greatest American novels and a masterpiece of world literature
. Its opening line, "Call me Ishmael," is among the most famous in literature
