The Meaning of Ishmael Daniel Quinn's novel, Ishmael, explores various lessons and stories about the origins of our society. The "teacher" was a gorilla named Ishmael who could communicate telepathically with the narrator. Ishmael not only opened the narrator's mind but also made the readers think in a completely different perspective. Without Ishmael, this novel would not be as powerful and meaningful as it is now. Ishmael taught his students in a different way because of his understanding of identity, captivity, and his perspective of being a different species. Human beings, as a society, do not understand the importance of something until it is seen in a different perspective. Ishmael was the ideal character in the story because he was different from the average human being. Most people don't understand captivity, or at least try not to. When people hear the term “captivity,” their minds immediately go to the idea of ​​animals held in captivity or captivity. Ishmael understands perfectly how captivity works because he was captured and placed in a zoo. He was old enough to remember what wild life was like and what it was like to be around other species. This is important because he understands the difference between wilderness and civilization, giving him knowledge that no human could understand. Ishmael highlights how humans as a society are held captive by Mother Culture. We are stuck in “Taker's Prison” and will most likely never get out until we start a new story. Mother Culture has taught us that the inhumane things we do, like capturing other species to put on an entertainment show, are okay. When the Leaver culture existed, people went about their day not messing with any other species unless they needed to... middle of paper... except a gorilla is completely different from us, but it's also one of more intelligent species. Hearing a different perspective on our society opens people's minds. Everything changes when an individual who does not live in our society tells us that we are wrong. Ishmael made the story extremely inspiring. It not only changed the narrator's way of life, but also changed the minds of most readers. Ishmael used many lessons and stories to convey the message that as a society we must change our ways. No human can pass on knowledge like Ishmael because most individuals do not understand the captivity, the journey through identity, and the different mindset that a gorilla has to offer. Ishmael's significance throughout the novel is extremely powerful and the story would not be so unique if it were just another human being teaching the story..