What novel begins with "Call me Ishmael"?
Quick answer
“Call me Ishmael” is the opening line of Moby-Dick by American author Herman Melville, published in 1851. Narrated by a sailor named Ishmael, it tells of Captain Ahab’s obsessive hunt for Moby Dick, the great white whale that bit off his leg. It’s often called one of the greatest American novels.
Key facts
- Author
- Herman Melville (1819–1891)
- Published
- 1851
- Ship
- The Pequod, a whaling ship from Nantucket
- Narrator
- Ishmael
The story
Ishmael signs on to the whaling ship Pequod, where he befriends the harpooner Queequeg. At sea, Captain Ahab reveals that the voyage’s real purpose is revenge on Moby Dick. Despite warnings from his first mate Starbuck, Ahab drives the crew across the oceans toward a final, disastrous showdown.
Inspired by real events
| Event | Influence |
|---|---|
| The whaleship Essex (1820) | Rammed and sunk by a sperm whale in the Pacific; the survivors’ ordeal shocked the world |
| “Mocha Dick” | A famous albino sperm whale said to have fought off many whalers |
| Melville’s own voyages | He worked on a whaling ship in the early 1840s |
Themes
- Obsession: Ahab’s hunt destroys almost everyone around him.
- Nature vs humans: the whale as a force no one can control.
- Fate and free will
- Friendship across cultures, in Ishmael and Queequeg
Melville also includes long chapters about whales and whaling, almost like an encyclopedia.
A flop that became a classic
Moby-Dick sold poorly and puzzled critics. Melville died in 1891 largely forgotten as a novelist. In the 1920s, scholars rediscovered the book, and it’s now a staple of literature courses.
For another sea giant, see the largest shark. For more famous opening lines, see who wrote Pride and Prejudice.
Still curious?
Jump to a random question from the archive.