Exigence in Ishmael

The exigence that pushed Daniel Quinn to write the novel named Ishmael was characterized by the fact that he wants to inform the readers on mankind and the ways in which they act in the world. Although the novel is set up as a gorilla teaching a student, he is not only teaching the man but he is also trying to give more insight to the readers. The book is filled with informative statements that is he is trying to teach to his pupil but by doing this, Quinn is evidently trying to evoke a certain message to the reader. The authors states that "Man was innocent until he discovered the difference between good and evil. When he was no longer innocent of that knowledge, he became a fallen creature" (Quinn 183). The author continuously gives insight on mankind and the way in which we were brought up to be. Then he defines the difference between takers and leaver and addresses to the reader the rules of competition and how one must always follow the law. It is almost as if Ishmael can be seen as not only a teacher for the man but also for the actual readers of this book. This is why I believe Quinn's exigence was to inform and teach, he wanted to give a different perspective on how we view the world and the people that live in it.