This paper discusses "
whiteness" in American classic
literature, with emphasis Melville's "Moby Dick" and states that Melville
paints a terrifying picture of the horrors of overwhelming
whiteness as represented by the White Whale. The paper contrasts Melville's fear of "whiteness" with Emerson's concept that white is beautiful. The author of the paper concludes that it is often necessary to rethink classical conceptions of American
literature.