Abstract

Herman Melville’s Moby Dick, a novel concerning about ecological predictions, discussed deeply on the relationship between man and nature. In the aim of excavating hidden ecological enlightenment, the thesis gives a study of Moby Dick from the perspective of ecological criticism by analyzing of main characters, important plots and environmental atmosphere. 

The thesis is divided into six parts. Part one presents an introduction to the author Herman Melville, the main plots of Moby Dick and explains the basic concept of ecological criticism. Part two is literature review which introduces the relevant researches about this novel at home and abroad. Part three and part four analyze the main characters and important plots by exploring its ecological enlightenments. Part five explains the harmony between man and nature and man and man. Finally, in the conclusion, the narrator reviews the previous parts and concludes the thesis.

Keywords: Moby Dick; Herman Melville; harmony; man and  

          nature; man and man

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction-1

2. Literature Review-2

3. Human Being’s Contempt on Nature-3

3.1 Ahab’s Contempt on Nature-3

3.2 Crews’ Hunting of Whales-4

4. Revenge by Nature-6

4.1 Moby-Dick's Threat to Human Beings-6

4.2 Environment’s Revenge on Human Beings-7

5. Harmony in Moby Dick-8

5.1 Harmony between Man and Nature-8

5.2 Harmony between Man and Man-9

6. Conclusion-10

Works Cited-12