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Abstract |
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This paper aims to disentangle the allegorical and symbolic meanings of Mardi,Melville’s third book, through the analyses of its structure, plot, and characters.
The plot is by itself mystical and enigmatical,which hints at some hidden meaning in this allegorical romance.
There occur in the mainstream of the plot three events which make up a keel of the structure of the work: the
protagonist’s encounter with innocent Yillah, his loss of her, and his odyssey to rediscover and retrieve her. The
search of lost innocence and purity is conducted in vain throughout Mardi,which epitomizes evil and sinful realities of the human world.
The characters can be viewed either as Melville’s agents or as parts of his self.Taji,the protagonist,represents
Melville’s instinct, and Babbalanja, his reason while avengers speak for his guilt and Hautia’s heralds, sexual
temptations.Yillah is the symbol of innocence,good,and Melville’s ideal whereas Hautia symbolizes sinful joys,evil,and human realities.
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