112 Moby Dick Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Moby Dick is a classic novel written by Herman Melville that has been studied and analyzed by literature students for decades. With its rich symbolism, complex characters, and themes of obsession and revenge, Moby Dick offers a wealth of essay topics for students to explore.

In this article, we will provide 112 Moby Dick essay topic ideas and examples to help inspire your next paper. Whether you are looking to delve into the symbolism of the white whale, analyze the character of Captain Ahab, or discuss the novel's themes of fate and free will, there is sure to be a topic that sparks your interest.

1. The symbolism of the white whale in Moby Dick
2. The character of Captain Ahab: tragic hero or madman?
3. The role of Ishmael as narrator in Moby Dick
4. Revenge and obsession in Moby Dick
5. The significance of the Pequod as a microcosm of society
6. The theme of fate vs. free will in Moby Dick
7. Queequeg as a symbol of friendship and loyalty
8. The use of biblical allusions in Moby Dick
9. The portrayal of race and ethnicity in Moby Dick
10. The role of women in Moby Dick
11. The theme of nature vs. civilization in Moby Dick
12. The influence of Romanticism on Moby Dick
13. The symbolism of the sea in Moby Dick
14. The character of Starbuck: foil to Captain Ahab
15. The theme of madness in Moby Dick
16. The role of the whale hunt in Moby Dick
17. The symbolism of the harpoon in Moby Dick
18. The use of foreshadowing in Moby Dick
19. The role of religion in Moby Dick
20. The symbolism of the color white in Moby Dick
21. The theme of isolation in Moby Dick
22. The influence of Shakespeare on Moby Dick
23. The portrayal of masculinity in Moby Dick
24. The role of fate in Captain Ahab's downfall
25. The symbolism of the coffin in Moby Dick
26. The theme of justice and revenge in Moby Dick
27. The significance of the whale's eye in Moby Dick
28. The portrayal of the natural world in Moby Dick
29. The theme of the quest for knowledge in Moby Dick
30. The role of prophecy in Moby Dick
31. The symbolism of the white squall in Moby Dick
32. The theme of redemption in Moby Dick
33. The influence of mythology on Moby Dick
34. The character of Queequeg: noble savage or stereotype?
35. The theme of the journey in Moby Dick
36. The symbolism of the doubloon in Moby Dick
37. The role of superstition in Moby Dick
38. The theme of the hero's journey in Moby Dick
39. The symbolism of the ship in Moby Dick
40. The portrayal of power and authority in Moby Dick
41. The theme of friendship and loyalty in Moby Dick
42. The role of the sea captain in Moby Dick
43. The symbolism of the sea serpent in Moby Dick
44. The theme of sacrifice in Moby Dick
45. The portrayal of the American Dream in Moby Dick
46. The symbolism of the albatross in Moby Dick
47. The theme of man vs. nature in Moby Dick
48. The role of prophecy and premonition in Moby Dick
49. The symbolism of the Pequod's flag in Moby Dick
50. The theme of revenge and forgiveness in Moby Dick
51. The influence of Romantic poetry on Moby Dick
52. The portrayal of race and ethnicity in Moby Dick
53. The role of women in Moby Dick
54. The theme of nature vs. civilization in Moby Dick
55. The symbolism of the sea in Moby Dick
56. The character of Starbuck: foil to Captain Ahab
57. The theme of madness in Moby Dick
58. The role of the whale hunt in Moby Dick
59. The symbolism of the harpoon in Moby Dick
60. The use of foreshadowing in Moby Dick
61. The role of religion in Moby Dick
62. The symbolism of the color white in Moby Dick
63. The theme of isolation in Moby Dick
64. The influence of Shakespeare on Moby Dick
65. The portrayal of masculinity in Moby Dick
66. The role of fate in Captain Ahab's downfall
67. The symbolism of the coffin in Moby Dick
68. The theme of justice and revenge in Moby Dick
69. The significance of the whale's eye in Moby Dick
70. The portrayal of the natural world in Moby Dick
71. The theme of the quest for knowledge in Moby Dick
72. The role of prophecy in Moby Dick
73. The symbolism of the white squall in Moby Dick
74. The theme of redemption in Moby Dick
75. The influence of mythology on Moby Dick
76. The character of Queequeg: noble savage or stereotype?
77. The theme of the journey in Moby Dick
78. The symbolism of the doubloon in Moby Dick
79. The role of superstition in Moby Dick
80. The theme of the hero's journey in Moby Dick
81. The symbolism of the ship in Moby Dick
82. The portrayal of power and authority in Moby Dick
83. The theme of friendship and loyalty in Moby Dick
84. The role of the sea captain in Moby Dick
85. The symbolism of the sea serpent in Moby Dick
86. The theme of sacrifice in Moby Dick
87. The portrayal of the American Dream in Moby Dick
88. The symbolism of the albatross in Moby Dick
89. The theme of man vs. nature in Moby Dick
90. The role of prophecy and premonition in Moby Dick
91. The symbolism of the Pequod's flag in Moby Dick
92. The theme of revenge and forgiveness in Moby Dick
93. The influence of Romantic poetry on Moby Dick
94. The portrayal of race and ethnicity in Moby Dick
95. The role of women in Moby Dick
96. The theme of nature vs. civilization in Moby Dick
97. The symbolism of the sea in Moby Dick
98. The character of Starbuck: foil to Captain Ahab
99. The theme of madness in Moby Dick
100. The role of the whale hunt in Moby Dick
101. The symbolism of the harpoon in Moby Dick
102. The use of foreshadowing in Moby Dick
103. The role of religion in Moby Dick
104. The symbolism of the color white in Moby Dick
105. The theme of isolation in Moby Dick
106. The influence of Shakespeare on Moby Dick
107. The portrayal of masculinity in Moby Dick
108. The role of fate in Captain Ahab's downfall
109. The symbolism of the coffin in Moby Dick
110. The theme of justice and revenge in Moby Dick
111. The significance of the whale's eye in Moby Dick
112. The portrayal of the natural world in Moby Dick

These are just a few examples of the many essay topics that can be explored in Moby Dick. Whether you are interested in analyzing the novel's symbolism, characters, themes, or literary influences, there is no shortage of material to delve into. So pick a topic that interests you, do some research, and start writing your next Moby Dick essay!