In Herman Melville's "Moby-Dick," the author expresses disdain for the societal constructs that create division, such as land barriers, royalty distinctions, and the requirement of passports. He characterizes these divisions as contemptible, suggesting that they symbolize a form of modern slavery that restricts human freedom and connection.

Melville contrasts these man-made limitations with the vast, unblemished sea, which represents admiration and the possibility of liberation. In the ocean's openness, there are no visible borders, and it becomes a metaphor for freedom from societal constraints, highlighting the beauty of unity and the desire to break away from the chains of civilization.