In studying the development of the early American novel, it may be helpful to compare Ishmael's relationship with Queequeg in "Moby Dick" with Huck with Jim in "Huckleberry Finn". In any case, the "savage" actually humanizes and civilizes the apparently "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 Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay One similarity between the two is in how both Melville and Twain use the relationships in question to reveal hypocrisy in society. In Huck Finn, physical appearance is the only criterion considered to determine which people are granted rights. No matter how immoral a white man may be, society gives him power over a highly moral black character like Jim. Additionally, society looks unfavorably on Pap but still gives him custody of Huck. Huck's well-being as a child is clearly not considered as important to society as safeguarding Pap's rights as a sperm donor (because he hasn't actually earned the title "father"). Twain satirizes very effectively the total lack of logic in decisions made by society, from the justice system to the blindly followed distortions of Christianity. None of the decisions made really seem to make sense. Instead, everyone seems to unquestioningly follow the set of arbitrary laws and rules that govern social institutions. On the raft, Huck and Jim manage 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 believes he faces. It is only after Huck is touched by Jim's humanity that this can actually happen. The most obvious example from Moby-Dick that comes to mind to address the issue of hypocrisy in society is the treatment of wages by shipowners, which is an echo of the hypocrisy in Father Mapple's sermon on the sin of disobedience. Captain Bildad, who preaches that men should not lay up treasures on earth, is the most exposed to the danger of hell because of his avarice. However, Queequeg seems to have no 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 "civilized" and those taught to Ismael (society's values) are more savage. Another similarity is how both authors allow characters to leave society and create their own world on the water. Within this world, the influence of social "values" is suppressed in favor of a logical or more practical value system. In other words, the values ​​of the "uncivilized" character are adopted in favor of the values ​​of the "civilized" character in the couple. Specifically, instead of valuing a person based on something arbitrary like outward physical appearance, practical aspects like survival skills and companionship emerge as important factors to consider when judging a person's worth. For example, Queequeg is initially described as strange to Ismael. His appearance, his rituals, and his ways all seem very foreign to the narrator. In short, it would be considered "wild" by society's standards. However, aboard the Pequod, he is an essential figure.