Google Music: what does this line in MOBY DICK mean?

Saturday, 16 April 2011

what does this line in MOBY DICK mean?

still deeper the meaning of that tale of Narcissus, who because he could not grasp the tormenting, mild image he saw in the fountain, plunged into it and was drowned. But that same image, we ourselves see in all rivers and oceans. It is the image of the ungraspable phantom of life; and this is the key to it all.

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especially the PHANTOM OF LIFE.. what does that mean? thank you!

Answer by Cazz
It means that “life is but a dream”, the outer world is an illusion (see Shakespeare, Buddhism, etc). By believing in the illusion, we chase a dream and this is our human torment. We are attracted to the image, want to know what is beyond but cannot grasp the real meaning. It is “key to all” because chasing an illusion clarifies most human motivation. Also, we want to make sense of things and we are forever looking for the right meaning of life, which remains a mystery. So, the fantastic adventure in life is trying to solve the mystery – which is impossible.
The specific tale of Narcissus (Greek mythology) is also about falling in like with yourself, in a negative way, becoming obsessed with yourself, which will end terribly. Hence the psychological term “egotism”. It is also about appearances, outer beauty, which in itself is meaningless and will trick those who take it too seriously.

Answer by ThereIsNoHope
The ungraspable phantom in life is wanting what we can’t have or can’t having what we want. In the case of Narcissus he drowned chasing his own reflection. Capt Ahab’s fate was to drown chasing the thought that revenge on that SOB whale would compensate him for his lost leg. Neither the reflection or the revenge was graspable (obtainable). Even if Ahab had caught MD it wouldn’t have satisfied. Get rid of “wanting” and the phantom disappears.

Give your answer to this question below!

Moby Shape
moby lines

Image by hops_76

For the life of me, I can’t find the passage. Ahab says something like, “If the sun struck me, then I would strike the sun.”

Anyone know the chapter? This is pouring me crazy!

Answer by F C
I’m not sure everywhere it is, but search google books with the refer to and book:

“Talk not to me of blasphemy; I’d strike the sun if it insulted me! “

Add your own answer in the comments!
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