The Power of the Metaphor
People who wish to learn how to appreciate good fictional writing must learn to appreciate the power of the metaphor. To a certain extent, all fictional writing must needs make use of the metaphor. In fact, in many fictional works the metaphor is really the whole point of the story.
In Herman Melville’s work; Moby Dick, the metaphors of the story are stressed and re-stressed over and over again. Moby Dick thus becomes a great example for appreciating the mighty power and scope of the metaphor.
Increasing the Power
A tool for conveying and indeed even increasing the power of the metaphor is the choosing of appropriate names. Many authors have found ways to facilitate their use of certain names. In classic fables, the name is often given based on certain physical character traits (For example: Goldilocks, Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella). Other authors have used similar techniques. Melville uses biblical names for many of his characters. By so doing he invokes the reader’s automatic associations with the name. Elijah of the bible is the doomsayer prophet who hounds Ahab of the Bible. Similarly, Ishmael’s encounter with Elijah serves to hint at the terrible doom that is destined for Ahab the sea captain and all who will accompany him. Ahab of the Bible is portrayed there as a particularly dramatic fellow. His speeches are cliché like expressions of high drama. This attention to drama eventually leads him to his downfall which he meets with a certain measure of solemn dignity. In a similar manner does Ahab finally realize and meet his doom though he proceeds towards it without swerving from his path. Ahab also feels the high drama which is taking place about him and sees hidden dramatic and morbid meanings in everything that occurs about him. Every element seems to hint to him of his impending doom and Ahab, as a person of drama, feels these hints. Nonetheless he is bent on his path of destruction which leads him to his bitter end.
