Something I didn't really appreciate as a kid was how much both stories are woven into the narrative of Wrath of Khan. When I first watched the film, I believe my perspective was these are cool references thrown in to acknowledge the similarities between the works. However, both books are really important to understanding Kirk and Khan.
Khan repeatedly quotes Moby Dick throughout the movie and we see the novel among the things aboard the Botany Bay. But it goes deeper and informs a lot about his character and ultimate undoing. Since TOS, the franchise's position on genetic engineering is the flaw in it is "superior ability breeds superior ambition." Basically, the augments are blinded by their abilities and that arrogance leads to a destructive blindness. Khan knows the story and yet still quotes Ahab and follows his example in pursuing Kirk and the Enterprise. Khan arrogantly believes he can succeed where Ahab failed even knowing what happens to the Pequod and the characters.
And it's actually mirrored in Kirk.
Kirk's defiance in claiming he "doesn't believe in the no-win scenario." The final act of the movie begins with Kirk saying "I don't like to lose" and revealing he has a plan to stop Khan. The first time you see the film, in that moment, you actually believe Kirk can overcome any obstacle and beat this ... And then the worst happens. When we finally get to the conversation with David, Kirk is reduced to a tragic figure who has won the day but at the terrible cost of his friend. But the fact he's willing to be open to change and realize he was wrong is one of the things which make him different from Khan as a person.
Which gets into why A Tale of Two Cities becomes an important touchstone. Spock sacrifices himself for Kirk and the crew in a similar way as Sydney Carton does for Charles Darnay. But where Carton realizes a sense of purpose in his sacrifice, it's Kirk who finds renewed purpose in Spock's sacrifice. The novel's themes of resurrection and rebirth in the face of upheaval and violence are all throughout Wrath of Khan, not only in Kirk ("I feel young") but also with the Genesis Device itself (and ultimately even in bringing Spock back).
Khan repeatedly quotes Moby Dick throughout the movie and we see the novel among the things aboard the Botany Bay. But it goes deeper and informs a lot about his character and ultimate undoing. Since TOS, the franchise's position on genetic engineering is the flaw in it is "superior ability breeds superior ambition." Basically, the augments are blinded by their abilities and that arrogance leads to a destructive blindness. Khan knows the story and yet still quotes Ahab and follows his example in pursuing Kirk and the Enterprise. Khan arrogantly believes he can succeed where Ahab failed even knowing what happens to the Pequod and the characters.
And it's actually mirrored in Kirk.
Kirk's defiance in claiming he "doesn't believe in the no-win scenario." The final act of the movie begins with Kirk saying "I don't like to lose" and revealing he has a plan to stop Khan. The first time you see the film, in that moment, you actually believe Kirk can overcome any obstacle and beat this ... And then the worst happens. When we finally get to the conversation with David, Kirk is reduced to a tragic figure who has won the day but at the terrible cost of his friend. But the fact he's willing to be open to change and realize he was wrong is one of the things which make him different from Khan as a person.
Which gets into why A Tale of Two Cities becomes an important touchstone. Spock sacrifices himself for Kirk and the crew in a similar way as Sydney Carton does for Charles Darnay. But where Carton realizes a sense of purpose in his sacrifice, it's Kirk who finds renewed purpose in Spock's sacrifice. The novel's themes of resurrection and rebirth in the face of upheaval and violence are all throughout Wrath of Khan, not only in Kirk ("I feel young") but also with the Genesis Device itself (and ultimately even in bringing Spock back).
