Transcendentalism is the essentially spiritual belief that

the universe and God are all good. In Moby Dick by

Herman Melville, transcendentalism is seen in one
character primarily. This character, although at first
assumed to be a vicious cannibal, is actually the kindest,
most compassionate person in the novel. Queequeg the
harpooner truly represents transcendentalism.
Often, throughout the novel, Queequeg is ridiculed by
other sailors and townspeople alike because of his native
background, and cultural customs. Queequeg, however,
learns to get past these stereotypes and proves to be a
highly spiritual person. In the very beginning of the story,
Ismael is frightened to share a bed with a cannibal, but
after a night of being cuddled by the tattooed harpooner,
Ishmael becomes one of the first people to recognize the
transcendental qualities in Queequeg. Another example of
his spirituality is the Ramadan. During this time,
Queequeg spends an entire day in solitude and stillness to
honor the god of his native island Yojo. Even though this
god was not one of Christian influence, the element of
worship to a higher power shows that he knew that he
was not alone on this earth, that there is a force stronger
than man which sustains life. Finally, when he and
Ishmael sign aboard the Pequod, Bildad and Peleg give
Queequeg a hard time because he is not a Christian, as
was appropriate at the time. However, Queequeg has faith
in himself and shows the men that he is an equal to all the
Christian sailors by showing them his talents in the field
of harpooning. This constant belief that he is an equal to
all other men is a highly transcendental view, because at
the time the novel is set in, these were many stereotypes
and prejudices against people who were as different as
Queequeg, yet he was able to rise above it and see the
equality that should be.
Numerous rescues also show Queequegs ability to see the
good in all men.