My study attempts to explore connections between Melville's use of religion and humor in his fiction. A major theme in Melville is the precarious role of individuals as they attempt to adjust to the illusions of order created by society. Since humans desire answers to ultimate questions, and since these answers are not in mortals' power to know, we, as a society, have created answers. / One of the major ways we have developed these systems to provide ultimate answers is through the institution of organized religion. Since no concrete proof exists, faith is the only means available for people to accept the dogmas and creeds of organized religion. Refusing to support such ideas that are founded on no concrete proof, Melville poked fun at people's ability to adopt these pretenses to knowledge. His novels and stories display the humor in various religious customs and practices, while showing the answers provided by religion as nothing more than a way for people to give up the search for meaning and accept an illusionary system of order. / Most of the comedy becomes ironic as the reader views scene after scene of humans warped from trying to perpetuate these systems at all cost. Adhering to the dogmas and creeds of a religion can result in disaster (Pierre), but rejecting them can also lead to destruction (Ahab). Melville realizes that no easy answers exist for humans as he shows the irony of placing faith in an illusion of order. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 52-02, Section: A, page: 0538. / Major Professor: R. Bruce Bickley. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1990.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_78417 |
| Contributors | Gillis, Billy R., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 211 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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