The Message of Quinns Ishmael :: Quinn Ishmael Essays

The Message of pariah     Quinn gains a unique scene on humanity through the main character of the novel, Ishmael. Ishmael is a gorilla. And Ishmael is a teacher who communicates with humans telepathically. On the surface, this hardly seems to be a character who would appear in a practiced bind more likely a childrens story, a fable, or perhaps a bad science fiction novel. Yet Ishmael is n unmatchable of these, and Ishmael is a strong character, with a powerful intellect and a serious purpose. The character of Ishmael needs to be non-human in order to be effective. Looking in on civilization from the outside gives him a eyeshot from which to criticize humanity without hypocrisy. To hear the oppressor repent is not nearly so effective as to hear the voice of the oppressed demand exemption and restitution.   As Ishmael opens, the author writes of a day in his liveness when he found what he thought a truly silly advertisement in the personals section of a newspa per TEACHER seeks pupil. must have an earnest desire to save the world. Apply in person. investigation with the purpose of exposing fraud, he came upon Ishmael in Room 105 of a nondescript office building. Ishmael was sitting calmly, nibbling on a polished branch. Momentarily shocked, Quinn stumbled towards a chair. He glanced into the gorillas eyes, and much to his disconcertment the eyes calmly rung to him. Nodding in answer to an unuttered question, Ishmael spoke silently I am the teacher.   In language of the sort one might expect from a well educate man speak with a friend, Ishmael told Quinn the story of his life. A large portion of it was fagged in captivity, before a wealthy elderly man befriended and educated him. At the end of Ishmaels tale, Quinn was still somewhat befuddled. I sat in that location for a minute, then I said, Im trying to figure out what this has to do with saving the world. Ishmael thought for a moment. Among the people of your culture, w hich want to overthrow the world? Which want to reverse it? As far as I know, no one specifically wants to destroy the world. And yet you do destroy it, each of you. Each of you contributes daily to the destruction of the world. Yes, thats so. Why dont you stop?