The tragic sense of life in Don Quixote is also the faith of Moby Dick. Ahab is a monomaniac; so is the kindlier Quixote, but both are tormented idealists who seek justice in human terms, not as theocentric men but as ungodly, godlike men.
In Harold Bloom's "The Western Canon," he explores the deep sense of tragedy present in "Don Quixote" and how it parallels the faith portrayed in "Moby Dick." Both characters, Ahab and Quixote, are depicted as single-minded individuals obsessed with their ideals. They embody a relentless pursuit of justice that is rooted in human experience rather than divine intention.
Despite their differing temperaments—Ahab being a brooding figure and Quixote a more compassionate character—they share a commonality as tormented idealists. Their struggles reflect a longing for meaning and righteousness in a world that often feels devoid of both, illustrating their complex nature as ungodly yet godlike figures striving for something greater.
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All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
Race of Cain, ascend to heaven, And cast God down upon the earth!
