Ahab’s obsession for vengeance takes him on a maddening journey. His dictatorial nature keeps the crew members in line, but not everyone aboard the ship agrees with his views, ideas, and mission. He gradually starts becoming a monomaniac in search for Moby Dick. In Chapter 37, “Sunset,” the point of view is from Ahab as he discusses his awareness of acting mad. Starbuck is skeptical about his motives and attempts to talk some sense into Ahab on more than one occasion. His egotistical attitude believes that he is invincible during this dangerous pursuit. He will not stop by any means, it starts to control his life. In Chapter 132, “The Symphony,” Ahab reflects back on whether his decisions were controlled by fate, his own madness or an external force. He feels as though he cannot overcome the force and as much as he questions it, he must continue on with his quest.

“What is it, what nameless, inscrutable, unearthly thing is it; what cozening, hidden lord and master, and cruel, remorseless emperor commands me; that against all natural lovings and longings, I so keep pushing, and crowding, and jamming myself on all the time; recklessly making me ready to do what in my own proper, natural heart, I durst not so much as dare? Is Ahab, Ahab? Is it I, God, or who, that lifts this arm?” (Melville 445)

Ahab’s determination to seek revenge is what ends up killing him in the end. At any point in time he could have given up and returned home safe. His persistence kept him going but also drove him to his ends.

On one of those nice afternoons we had in January my friend and I found a perfect spot on Roger Wheeler Beach to watch the sunset. We were approached by a women who had taken a long distance picture of us sitting next to this mini Christmas tree someone left planted in the sand. Yes, it does seem a little creepy as I type it out but she was just a friendly, harmless woman walking her dog. We chatted about the local search for two fishermen that had been called off that morning. Then she went on to tell us about her family boat, “The Lobstah,” that her dad, uncles, and cousins would take the boat out though Narragansett Bay fishing. One day the ship was plummeted and went under. Her dad loved that boat and when it went under it could have costed him his life. The boat was found with an unusual mark of destruction, like something was shot through the bottom of it causing it to sink. He started to think of every possible conspiracy to explain it. After reading Moby Dick and getting a sense of his demeanor and motives it reminded be of her description of her father. They both needed answers and did not want to stop until they were found, or in Ahab’s case: dead. I attempted to try and find some sort of information about “The Lobstah,” but had no luck. Ahab’s fixation on wanting to seek revenge upon Moby Dick turns him mad, but kept him going. This father’s obsession and love for his boat kept him going but it had started to interfere with his family and social life. Although this man’s search is not as intense and vigorous as Ahab’s they share similar compulsive traits they make their mindset to fulfill their passions.