In studying the development of the first American novel, one might find it useful to compare Ishmael's relationship with Queequeg in "Moby Dick " to Huck's relationship with Jim in "Huckleberry Finn". In each case, the “savage” actually humanizes and civilizes the so-called “civilized” character. However, it is the similarities and differences in the process used by each author that the reader will find most interesting. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay One of the similarities between the two is how Melville and Twain use the relationships in question to expose hypocrisy in society. In Huck Finn, physical appearance is the only criterion taken into account in determining which people have rights. No matter how immoral a white man may be, society gives him power over a highly moral black character like Jim. Additionally, society views Pap unfavorably but still gives him custody of Huck. Huck's well-being as a child is clearly not considered as important to society as the preservation of Pap's rights as a sperm donor (since he really has not earned the title of "father "). Twain very effectively satirizes the complete lack of logic in the decisions society makes, from the justice system to the rather blindly followed distortions of Christianity. None of the decisions made really seem to make sense. Instead, everyone seems to unquestioningly follow the arbitrary laws and rules that govern societal institutions. On the raft, Huck and Jim are able to rise above society's illogical rules and form what would clearly be a forbidden relationship in which Jim is not only Huck's equal but also his father figure. Huck's deep compassion for Jim is what ultimately drives him to choose to help Jim, regardless of the legal and moral/religious consequences he thinks he faces. Only once Huck is touched by Jim's humanity can this truly happen. The most obvious Moby-Dick example that comes to mind when addressing the issue of hypocrisy in society is the treatment of wages by shipowners, which resonates. of the hypocrisy of Father Mapple's sermon on the sin of disobedience. Captain Bildad, who preaches that men should not hoard treasures on earth, is most threatened by hell due to his greed. However, Queequeg does not seem to have a concept of this kind of greed and freely gives what is his to Ishmael. Ishmael seems almost annoyed by Queequeg's generosity because he has been programmed by society to think differently. In this way, Queequeg's actions are "civil" and those taught to Ishmael (the values ​​of society) are more savage. Another similarity is how both authors allow the characters to leave society and create their own world on the water. In this world, the influence of societal “values” is removed in favor of a logical or more practical value system. In other words, the values ​​of the “uncivilized” character are adopted for the benefit of the values ​​of the “civilized” character of the couple. Specifically, instead of evaluating a person based on something as arbitrary as their outward physical appearance, practical aspects such as survival skills and camaraderie emerge as the important factors to consider when judging the value of a person. For example, Queequeg is initially described as strange to.