Moby Dick, written by Herman Melville in 1851, is a classic of American literature. It tells the story of Captain Ahab's obsession with hunting down and destroying an elusive white whale. The novel has been praised for its depth and complexity, exploring themes such as revenge, loyalty, human nature, religion, and morality. The symbolism used throughout the novel adds to its literary merit, from the metaphorical "whiteness" of the whale, which can represent purity or death depending on the context, to Ishmael's near-death experience at sea, which serves as a metaphor for his own spiritual journey.

The critical acclaim surrounding Moby Dick has made it one of the most influential novels in history. Its influence can be seen in many different works, including music (such as Rush's song "Moby Dick"), film adaptations (like John Huston's 1956 movie version), and other books (such as Hermann Hesse's Siddhartha). In addition to inspiring numerous artists over time, this book is also credited with helping launch modern environmentalism due to its exploration of the man-versus-nature conflict between Ahab and Moby Dick.

In short, Moby Dick stands out among other pieces of literature because it combines complex characters and symbolic language with an exciting narrative about a struggle against powerful forces beyond our control, allowing readers to explore their own innermost thoughts while being swept up in a captivating adventure story all at once.