In Moby-Dick, the tension between fate and free will is central. Ahab’s relentless pursuit of the white whale symbolizes his defiance of fate, as he believes he can control his destiny. However, his obsession and the inevitability of his doom suggest that fate ultimately prevails. The novel explores whether Ahab’s actions are driven by choice or predestined, leaving the question unresolved but leaning toward the tragic power of fate.