The Importance of a Biblical Name

In New England, Puritans loved to use biblical names. Ishmael is an odd biblical name to use even for Puritans because this is not a character that was part of the elect people have got. Melville is giving us this book and saying, call me Ishmael,. Why? Because Melville has paid heed to our suffering. He's giving us the book, right? So what we've been waiting for. How it's here, call him Ishmael.