Yuna Lee

June 17-July 26 (Chapter 108-Epilogue)

            The last section of the book was definitely more dramatic than any other sections. In my opinion, it was the most interesting section to read and was full with emotions. Also, the story matches with all the foreshadowing and background information that Melville provided to his readers in the previous chapters. For instance, Ahab says, “There is one God that is Lord over the earth, and one Captain that is lord over the Pequod – on deck!” (chapter 109, pg. 716). In this phrase, Ahab is setting himself in opposition to God, abusing or overexpressing his authority as the captain. Such arrogance leads him up to a tragic ending, which was expected by Father Mapple. His sermon was about the story of Jonah and he said that obeying God might be extremely difficult because in some cases, to obey God, you will have to disobey yourself. As the previous chapters hinted us, Ahab decides to follow his ideas and instincts instead of following God’s plans.

            I now realize that the soliloquies of Starbuck and Stubb, which revealed their characteristics, fit into this last section perfectly. Starbuck is a religious man who is conscious of his responsibilities and he is against Ahab’s quest. Such personality is shown again when Pequod meets a Typhoon, “Avast, Stubb, cried Starbuck. Let the Typhoon sing…” (chapter 119, pg. 755). It seems like Starbuck is stressed to deal with a moment of crisis. On the other hand, Stubb is a character who believes that everything happens by its fate. Stubb once said, “I know not all that may be coming, but be it what it will, I’ll go to it laughing.” (chapter 19, pg. 268) Therefore, Stubb is always jolly, even in the crisis, “but as for me, all the start I have to meet it, is just across the deck here. But never mind; it’s all in fun: so the old song says” (chapter 119, pg. 754). The clear contrast between the two bring more emotions and enthusiasm to the book. In this section, Starbuck stands out against Ahab frequently to stop Ahab from his dangerous quest. Starbuck believes that catching Moby dick is against God, “Great God! But for one single instant show thyself, cried Starbuck; never, never wilt thou capture him, old man – In Jesus’ name no more of this, that’s worse than devil’s madness” (chapter 134, pg. 840). He even attempts to murder Ahab. However, he fails to convince Ahab and the ship, which carries about thirty men, gets completely destroyed by the whale. Even in the moment of death Stubb is tranquil and jolly – “Cherries! Cherries! Cherries! Oh, Flask, for one red cherry ere we die!” (chapter 135, pg. 856). I think that the contrast between these two may represent different beliefs or philosophies as well.

            The ending of the book was slight different than what I expected. I imagined Ahab’s death but not the entire ship’s destruction. This strikes me because it seems like an individual’s madness, desire, greed or disobedience to God can kill everyone around. Ahab did not only kill all his shipmates except Ishmael but killed himself as well, “…but the flying turn caught him round the neck, and voicelessly as Turkish mutes bowstring their victim, he was shot out of the boat, ere the crew knew he was gone” (chapter 135, pg. 857). I believe that Melville is trying to teach a lesson through this ending. Overall, I wouldn’t say that the book is entertaining to read but it is surely full of linguistic techniques that builds up the whole story. I felt like I was a part of the voyage when I was reading and was fascinated by how Melville included various themes (religion, philosophy, nature, men, etc.) in such deepness.

Yuna Lee

June 10-July 16 (Chapter 81-107)

It is the penultimate section of the book and Pequod is still in its voyage to catch the so-called Moby Dick. The main force behind this insane and dangerous quest is Ahab’s madness. In a certain moment of the voyage, when everything seems peaceful, Ishmael says, “I forgot all about our horrible oath; in that inexpressible sperm, I washed my hands and my heart of it.” (chapter 94, pg. 633) As we see in this quote, Ishmael can easily forget about the quest, whereas Ahab cannot. Ahab is totally out of mind to catch Moby dick that he even forgets how to enjoy nature itself or how to find pleasure in his normal life. This shows that Ahab maddened even more during the voyage because at the beginning of the book (section 1-2), simple things such as weather could change Ahab’s moods or feelings. However, as the book heads the end, Ahab is now just a monomaniac captain. His madness is emphasized again when he meets Samuel Enderby (who lost his arm to Moby dick). Samuel says, “There would be great glory in killing him, I know that; and there is a ship-load of precious sperm in him, but, hark ye, he’s best let alone” (chapter 100, pg. 669). Although the two went through a similar tragical event, they show completely different reactions. Unlike Ahab, Samuel knows how to let things go, acknowledging the glory but also the danger of the quest.

Secondly, there are several cycles of life or routine described in this section. The sailors have a certain routine, “the ghost is spouted up, and away we sail to fight some other world, and go through young life’s old routine again” (chapter 98, pg. 651). The sailors’ routine is sailing as they look for the whales, catching the whales, cleaning the ship and then repeating. Another cycle observed is between the whale and the men – the death and decay of sea creatures provide life for those aboard ship and on land. “… he must die and death and be murdered, in order to light the gay bridals and other merry-makings of men” (chapter 81, pg. 545). The whales’ death is what sustains the sailors’ lives and their family’s lives. Not only the death of the whales but what the whales can provide including oil, ambergris, etc. As the sailors butcher the whales to extract their needs they say that the whales are “sown in dishonor, but raised in glory.” (chapter 92, pg. 623) In my opinion, the fact that the death of a creature provides life to another creature seems like an irony.

Lastly, Melville compares the whales, especially Moby Dick, to God, which allows us to seek Melville’s opinion towards religion. When explaining the whales, the narrator says, “I am horror-struck at this ante mosaic, unsourced existence of the unspeakable terrors of the whale, which, having before all-time must needs exist after all human ages are over.” (chapter 104, pg. 692). The description of the whales sounds like describing God, who is omnipresent, ubiquitous and eternal. Considering that Melville uses the whales to represent God, I think that Melville views God as a distant figure. I believe that to Melville, God is someone who is difficult to approach and see. Also in chapter 99, when the characters interpret the doubloon, I think that it might be Melville showing how the men interpret God’s words. Just as the characters of the book, we all feel different things and understand His words differently, even though we are reading the same Bible.

Yuna Lee

June 3-July 9 (Chapter 52-80)

Before reading this section, I thought that the whole story’s focus would be on catching the Moby Dick. However, in certain parts of the book, I realized that there are other aspects that Melville wants his readers to realize. One of them is the interaction between nature and men. It is noticeable when saying, “Swim away from me, do ye? murmured Ahab… the tone conveyed more of deep helpless sadness” (chapter 52, pg. 368). This quote shows Ahab’s reaction when he sees the fishes swimming away from him. Although it might mean nothing in nature, Ahab interprets it in his way – it hurts him and he takes it as a bad omen. It is also shown that Ishmael prioritizes the interaction between men and nature than nature itself. When Ishmael was describing how ridiculous the ancient drawings of the whales are, he says that the ‘best’ is the one that has “…one picture of whaling scenes” (chapter 56, pg. 412). He says, although “serious fault might be found with the anatomical details of this whale, but let that pass; since, for the life of me, I could not draw so good a one.” (chapter 56, pg. 413). Based on this quote, Ishmael believes that the vivid and active interaction between the whales and the men is more valuable than scientific accuracy itself.

Secondly, Melville uses irony to mock and to add some sense of humor to the book. When the pirates say, “… they are infernal villains on both sides, and don’t like to see overmuch of each other’s villainous likenesses.” (chapter 53, pg. 372), it’s funny that they do the same job but think that each other is cruel. Melville mentions that it is ironic how the English whalemen think they are superior when “the Yankees in one day, collectively, kill more whales than all the English, collectively, in ten years.” (chapter 53, pg. 371) Additionally, when he describes the early drawings of the whales, he says, “… and look now at a great Christian painter’s portrait of this fish; for he succeeds no better than the antediluvian Hindoo” (chapter 55, pg. 405). He mocks that both of them focus on what is visually pleasing than the actual anatomy of the whales. I think that by the word “great” Melville wants to show that it is ironic that even the “great” people can’t succeed.

Lastly, many symbols are implying some messages in the book. Both Ahab and the sperm whale, in general, are frequently referred to as pyramids. For instance, “these are hieroglyphical… pyramids hieroglyphics, then that is the proper word of use in the present connection” (chapter 68, pg. 470). When the narrator reads, “… to sketching the profile of a pyramid”, he refers to the whales as a mysterious grand puzzle to solve. Another possible interpretation of the symbolization of pyramids is that it is used as a reference to the discourses of slavery. The top part of the pyramid can represent the small percentage of people who are in control or who have the power. The rest of the pyramid, which is the majority, represent the sailors who follow the captain or the slaves. It is easy to think that the most important part is the top part, in other words, Captain Ahab. However, when the sailors leave Ahab, the pyramid will fall to pieces. The base is needed to sustain the top part of the pyramid. This is noticeable when the sailors desert the ship. The narrator says, “… the captain was forced to enlist some of the more civilized Tahitians, who had been somewhat used to the sea.” (chapter 54, pg. 414) For a pyramid to be well-established, it is not only the ‘top’ that matters.

Yuna Lee

June 28-July 2 (Chapter 28-51)

I could observe that the story resembles a style of a play in several chapters of this section. There are various stage directions such as “(Enter Ahab: then, all)” (chapter 36, pg. 253), “(Waving his hand, he moves from the window)” (chapter 37, pg. 265). Another feature of a play shown in the book is soliloquy. Chapters 37, 38 and 39 are soliloquies from Ahab, Starbuck, and Stubb respectively. It is also noticeable that Ishmael slowly loses his voice and perspective as a narrator. Especially in section 2, it seems like it is Melville himself telling the story because the book provides information or opinions that Ishmael might not be aware of, such as soliloquies of the other characters and some profound knowledge related to whaling. Despite all these alterations in the style of writing, Melville still uses figurative language. One of them is simile – “They dined like lords; they filled their bellies like Indian ships all day loading with spices” (chapter 34, pg. 240). When providing background information about the whales, he uses division-classification as the narrator says, “I divided the whales into three primary books, sub divisible into chapters…” (chapter 32, 217). To express Ahab’s personality, Melville uses hyperbole, “I’d strike the sun if it insulted me” (chapter 36, pg. 259). In this phrase, he successfully conveys the idea of what kind of man Ahab is.

Among all the literary techniques used in this section, allusion and analogy are definitely the most powerful tools used by Melville. An example of an allusion is, “This was strangely heightened at times by the ragged Elijah’s diabolical incoherence uninvitedly recurring to me, with a subtle energy I could not have before conceived of.” (chapter 28, pg. 196) In the Bible, Ahab is pictured as an evil King who was countered by the prophet Elijah. In the book, a character named Elijah, the same as the prophet, gives prophecies that make Ishmael feel suspicious about Ahab. This biblical allusion can foreshadow the conflicts between the captain and other sailors. Melville also alludes to the “Iron Crown of Lombardy” saying, “Is, then, the crown too heavy that I wear?” (chapter 37, pg. 264) He alludes to Shakespeare saying, “and can hardly suspect them for mere sounds, full of Leviathanism, but signifying nothing” (chapter 33, pg. 238) This phrase is a reference to a play called ‘Macbeth ‘– “full of sound and fury, signifying nothing”. I think that he used allusions to stimulate ideas and to connect the story to other information that might be more familiar to us. Besides allusions, he uses analogies saying, “… great glory to be slapped by a queen” (chapter 31, pg. 211) He compares being kicked by Ahab and being slapped by a queen as both honorable things. Another analogy is when Ahab says, “… then mine own electric thing, that had perhaps expired from out me.” (chapter 36, pg. 262) Both electricity and Ahab’s anger are powerful. They also pass along easily; just as Ahab’s desire for revenge against Moby Dick spread out to everyone in Pequod.

Lastly, the main topic of section 2 is interesting for me. The fact that people interpret nature and God differently based on their own perspective strikes me. Also, I think that Melville shows the different types of interpretations effectively by writing them in the form of a dialogue. Starbuck says, “Vengeance on a dumb brute! cried Starbuck, that simply smote thee from blindest instinct! Madness! To be enraged with a dumb thing, Captain Ahab, seems blasphemous.” (chapter 36, pg. 258) I could realize that Starbuck believes that things just happen and that nature is just there. Therefore, Ahab losing his leg was a tragedy but there was nothing behind it. Moby Dick did not attack Ahab out of malice so to Starbuck, attempting a revenge sounds ‘dumb’ and ‘mad’. On the other side, Ahab says, “But in each event – in the living act, the undoubted deed – there, some unknown but still reasoning things puts forth the moldings of its features from behind the unreasoning mask.” (chapter 36, pg. 258-259) Ahab believes that nature is a representation of something and that his desire for revenge is reasonable – he even dreams about it. By expressing two different opinions as a dialogue helped me to understand both sides.

Yuna Lee

June 19-27 (Chapter 1-27)

In chapters 1-27, the narrator, Ishmael, strongly believes that all decisions are made by our fate. This is noticeable when he suggests that the “invisible police officer of the Fates” (‘Loomings”, pg. 27) is the reason why he became a sailor. To emphasize the dark and fateful mood of the book, Melville uses various foreshadowing. For instance, when Ishmael decides to stay in an inn, the name of the inn hints his future. “… faintly representing a tall straight jet of misty spray, and these words underneath – ‘The Spouter Inn’: – Peter Coffin” (‘The Carpet-beg’, pg. 32). The fact that ‘coffin’ is a box in which corpses are buried indicates a tragic future awaiting Ishmael. Besides foreshadowing, Melville uses allusion to the Bible to build a fateful mood. Father Mapple says during his sermon, “Shipmates, I do not place Jonah before you to be copied for his sin but I do place him before you as a model for repentance. Sin not; but if you do, take heed to repent of it like Jonah” (‘The Sermon’, pg. 87). The story of Jonah emphasizes the importance of true repentance and sets Jonah as a model for the characters to follow along with the story. Also, there are several biblical names in the book, such as Ahab, which indicate a connection to religious fate.

Through the language, Melville slowly develops the character and Christianity of Ishmael. Relatively at the beginning of the book, Ishmael is portrayed as someone with strong prejudices. For example, “Oh no, said he, looking a sort of diabolically funny, ‘the harpooner is a dark-complexioned chap” (‘The Spouter-inn’ pg. 39). Just because Queequeg is described as ‘dark-complexioned’, Ishmael gets suspicious and doubts on Queequeg’s suitability as a person to share a bed. However, Ishmael shows changes in his behavior and thoughts, “thought I to myself – the man’s a human being just as I am: he has just as much reason to fear me” (‘The Spouter-inn’, pg. 54). This phrase suggests that Ishmael is viewing Queequeg as an equal human being and later the two become companions. In this process, Ishmael falls to idolatry and tries to justify his actions, “Consequently, I must then unite with him in his; ergo, I must turn idolater” (‘A Bosom Friend’, pg. 96). This shows that his Christian life is very limited – when in contact with other people, he easily loses his principles as a Christian. His companion Queequeg also has a limited view of Christianity due to his background, “Struck by his desperate dauntlessness, and his wild desire to visit Chris – tendon” (‘Biographical’, pg. 101).

Lastly, I could observe many figurative languages, unique syntax, and diction used by the author. There are lots of similes such as “… like a snow hill in the air” (‘Loomings’, pg. 28), “lives like a Czar in an ice palace…” (‘The Carpet-beg’, pg. 31), etc. There is imagery, “the blackness of darkness … at last came to a dim sort of light” (‘The Carpet-beg’, pg. 31). The contrast in the atmosphere of two different settings is well represented through the contrast between the colors. Melville also uses personification, “the stubborn storm” (‘The Chapel’, pg. 69) and irony, “no suicides permitted here, and no smoking in the parlor” (‘The Ramadan’, pg. 142) – the ‘no suicide’ panel won’t actually prevent any suicides. A combination of long and short sentences is observed as well – it helped me to maintain the focus on the book – “Strange! Nothing will content them but the extremist limit of the land; loitering under the shady lee of yonder warehouses will not suffice. No. They must get just as nigh the water as they possibly can without falling in” (‘Loomings’, pg. 22). Other figurative languages/literary devices used include onomatopoeia, “pooh, pooh!” (‘The Carpet-beg’, pg. 33) and asyndeton, “A boggy, soggy, squitchy picture truly…” (‘The Spouter-inn’, pg. 35). All of these figurative languages together enrich the quality of the text.

Section 5 was by far my favorite. The main reason is that there were almost no chapters dedicated to teaching the reader about certain process or objects that were common to whalers; the focus here was on the narrative. This contrast between the very detailed chapters seen on previous section and the narrative-focused chapters on section 5 is reasonable. Ishmael, through the previous sections of the book, explains in detail how the whaling business worked and why certain tools were used. On section 5, however, it is assumed that the reader already knows everything that was taught to them about the subject, so there is no need to have breaks between the narrative to explain certain terms. Therefore section 5 is filled with action, drama, suspense, and wraps up the book with an incredible ending.

            Something that I realized as I was reading through these final chapters is that the “real author” of this narrative is not Herman Melville, but Ishmael is the one who put this work together. After realizing that he was the only Pequod survivor (p. 569), he decides to write this story to keep Pequod and Ahab’s quest alive through this book. What is ironic is that although the crew physically died on the accident, they were immortalized as the story of Moby Dick lives on forever. Similarly to how Queequeq’s “hieroglyphic marks” about a “complete theory of the heavens and the earth” were engraved on the coffin life-buoy (p. 479), the story of Ahab and his crew was not lost but will be passed on.

            One of the characters that most caught my attention this section was Pip Bell-boy. I have already mentioned on my previous journals that he went from a cheerful sailor to a crazy prophet. This section, however, made me realize that he was on the path of becoming a “second Ahab”. Just like Ahab couldn’t let go of his past because of the whale that traumatized him, Pip couldn’t move on from the accident. On various occasions he reminds himself and the crew that Pip “died a coward” (p. 478) and that shame should be “upon all cowards” (p. 528). Although Bell-boy gave himself a new identity and was given a seat at the captain’s cabins (p. 527), he can’t never put Pip to rest. Both are haunted by their traumas, which ironically kills them; Ahab gets killed by the merciless Moby Dick, and Bell-boy, for the second time, gets his soul drowned for once and for all (p. 566-567).

As we approach the end the book, looking back, we can see some trends regarding what an object or place symbolizes in this narrative. One recurrent symbol that was emphasized in this section is the ocean. Ishmael describes it as the “dark side of this earth” (p. 424). His statement proves to be true on several chapters, as the ocean is always related to the misfortunes that strike the characters. One instance I would like to highlight is when Pip is all by himself on chapter 93 (The Castaway). After being abandoned by his crew for jumping into the water, Pip loses his sanity. It is described that Pip’s soul was “carried down alive to wondrous depths” (p. 415). Pip starts to see visions but is considered mad by his crewmates (p. 416). This passage portrays the idea that although the ocean is extremely big, it is really lonely, and that loneliness can change one entirely (“But the awful lonesomeness is intolerable” p. 415). Pip went from a very cheerful and festive sailor into a crazy prophet who claimed he saw God.

            Another chapter that caught my attention was chapter 100 (Leg and Arm). This chapter introduces Captain Boomer. Both him and Captain Ahab share a “common enemy”, which is Moby Dick, who took one of their limbs (p. 436). One would think that Captain Boomer, then, should be like Ahab, a restless maniac thirsty for vengeance. However, that is not the case. Although both share a common tragic past with Moby Dick, they differ on what should be done about. Ahab is blinded by his revenge, while Boomer learns his lesson to not mess with the White Whale. Here we have two pathways on how one deals with a great loss. Like Ahab, one can continuously remind themselves about his loss, and therefore never moves on. The other alternative is to be like Boomer, who lets his past go and decides to live happily. Each captain thinks of the other as crazy for not sharing the same point of view, and both depart.

            Lastly, I would like to highlight chapter 99 (The Doubloon). This chapter is important because it reveals a lot about each character regarding how they view the world. Ahab tells that the coin is “like a magician’s glass, to each and every man in turn but mirrors back his own mysterious self” (p. 430-431). Ahab sees everything as if they were himself; this symbolizes how Ahab is only focused on his own revenge. Starbuck sees the Holy Trinity and that the “sun of Righteousness still shines a beacon and a hope; this reveals his attachment to Christianity. Stubb focuses on the Zodiac Signs; this reveals an allegorical side of Stubb, who tries to seek a meaning in everything. Flask sees nothing but a gold coin, which contrasts with Stubb allegorical view. And the list goes on. The story conveys the idea that different people have different worldviews depending on their culture, traumas, etc. The theme highlighted here is how there is no such a thing as an exact answer; everyone can interpret something as they like.

At this point in the narrative, it is no surprise to me that the author decides to constantly emphasize how mysterious whales are to men. On chapter 70 (The Sphynx), Ahab questions to the decapitated head of the Sperm Whale as if it was a “Sphinx in the desert” (311). Sphinxes are known to be extremely wise, and perhaps even omniscient. In addition to that, Ahab says that the whale, “of all divers, hast dived the deepest” (311). I believe this chapter conveys that idea that, even though Ahab and his crew are very experienced whalers, they still have lots to learn about the deep ocean world, and that’s why Ahab jokingly asks the “Wise Whale”. This idea of whales being mysterious creatures is also carried out on chapter 79 (The Prairie). Ishmael applies the study of physiognomy and phrenology, which claims that one’s traits can be explained by their facial expressions and formation of the skull, on the whale. However, he comes to the conclusion that the interpretation of the reading depends on the reader (348), so this study cannot be objectively used. Melville uses irony to ridicule those fields of science that were so prevalent at his time. He does that by saying that great linguists, such Champollion and Sir William Johnson, couldn’t even “read the simplest peasant’s face in its profounder and more subtle meanings” (348).

            As we approach the end of the book, Melville continues to add foreshadowing in to keep up the suspense that was already established in the previous chapters. This section, however, I believe he started to be more direct when it comes to his foreshadows. In chapter 71 (The Jerroboam’s Story), we have a sailor who claims to be the archangel Gabriel (315). He “solemnly warns the captain [Ahab] against attacking the White Whale” (316), and guarantees that Ahab will end up dead just like the “blasphemer” who was killed by Moby Dick (“thou art soon going that way.” 318). Ishmael, at the end of the chapter, says that “many things were hinted in reference to this wild affair” (319), showing that this prophecy is bound to happen. Another instance of a not so subtle foreshadowing can be seen on chapter 74 (The Sperm Whale’s Head – Contrasted View). Ishmael talks about how sperm whales have their eyes located on the same place humans have their ears, therefore they can see what is on their sides but are unable to perceive what is directly in front of them. He emphasizes it by warning that it should be “remembered by the reader in some subsequent scenes” (331). My prediction is that when they finally meet Moby Dick, the whale’s peripheral view is going to play a huge role on deciding who is going to come out as the winner.

            Something that caught my attention in this section is how Ishmael used “technical chapters” (those in which he describes the processes, tools, and important terms in whaling) to make deep and philosophical points. On chapter 58 (Brit), he contrasts the safety of land to the dark, and “masterless ocean” (276). He, then, makes an analogy saying that the human soul is a “verdant land” that is surrounded by an ocean of the “horrors of the half known life” (276). The analogy is expanded when Ismael admires the whale, whose thick skin protects it from the ocean (chapter 68, 308). He envies the whales and wishes that mankind would “model thyself after the whale” (308), implying that he wished his soul wouldn’t suffer from its surrounding just likes the whales.

Although “Moby Dick” is classified as a novel, the authors decides to incorporate other genres of writing in some chapters; each genre is used to achieve its own goal. Chapter 32 (Cetology) is similar to a science paper, where Ishmael feels the need to explain to the audience about different species of whales. It seems like a science paper because not only does he define what is considered a whale, but he also classifies them into major groups (Books) and then into small species group (Chapters) on page 133. Another genre that is assimilated into the narrative is that of a play. This genre of writing can be seen primarily on chapter 40 (Midnight, Forecastle). Chapter 40 starts with stage directions (169), which is a strong indication for a play-like writing. In addition to that, the format of dialogue is changed in order to look more similar to a play. I believe the author decided to stray from his normal writing format because he wanted to emphasize the festiveness in the boat to create a “calm before the storm” mood. This mood however would end after their first encounter with a whale in chapter 48 (The First Lowering).

The use of foreshadow is very apparent in this section. One example of that is when one sailor claims to hear a weird noise (195) on chapter 43 (Hark!) and assumes that there is an intruder hiding in the ship. The same sailor says that he heard Flask talking about the same subject (196). We later find out that those hiding men were the “five dusky phantoms” mentioned at the end of chapter 47 (The Mat-Maker, 215). Another example of a foreshadow can be seen in Starbuck’s hesitancy to agree with his captain’s motives for this voyage. He says that he enlisted to “hunt whales and not his commander’s vengeance” (161). Their first and unsuccessful whaling experience (223) see in chapter 48 shows how deadly and destructive whales can be. My prediction is that they are going to find Moby Dick, and she will ultimately destroy the crew, which would confirm Starbuck’s warnings about how unwise it would be to chase Ahab’s revenge.

Going along with this conflict between Ahab and Starbuck, two chapters that stood up for me were chapter 37 (Sunset) and chapter 38 (Dusk). The reason why I highlighted them was because both chapters mirror each other in structure and content, but what makes them different is the point of view of the narrator. Sunset shows Ahab’s soliloquy, where he acknowledges that his crew thinks that he is crazy; he even admits that he is “demoniac” and “madness maddened”. (166). He says that Moby Dick is fated to struck down by him in the same way Ahab was fated to lose his leg. On the other hand, it is Starbuck’s turn to have a soliloquy in Dusk. Starbuck reveals his worries about chasing the whale; Starbuck doesn’t want to carry out his captain’s mission, but he is conflicted because he “feels that he must help him to it” (167). What I found interesting is how the title of each chapter summarize what the chapters are about. “Sunset” and “Dusk” are basically the same thing, but there is a very small, yet important difference. “Sunset” is when the sun sets down to the point where you can’t see it anymore. This symbolizes how Ahab is going to end his quest by killing Moby Dick, and therefore put an end on his “day”. “Dusk”, however, is when the night period is just about to begin. Starbuck doesn’t feel like that is going to be a good idea; he thinks that going after Moby Dick is not going to be the end of their “day” but only the beginning of their disastrous “night”.

Moby Dick is known for being a book in which the plot revolves around the hunting of a whale. The narrator foreshadows his encounter with the great beast even in the first chapter (6). Melville decides to continuously refer to the whale throughout various parts in this first section. Some examples can be seen on chapter 3 (The Spouter-Inn), on 9 (The Sermon), and on chapter 16 (The Ship). On chapter 3, Ishmael tries to describe the “very large oil-painting” that caught his attention (10). His final guess about what is happening in the painting is that a whale is responsible for the destruction of the ship. I believe that the fact that Ishmael can’t quite comprehend the painting (11) symbolizes how mysterious whales were to him, considering he didn’t have any prior experience with them. On chapter 9, Father Mapple uses the story of Jonah and the “Big Fish” to preach. Chapter 16 (The Ship) shows how Captain Peleg describes how that “monstrousest parmacetty” took Captain Ahab’s leg (71). I think that the reason why Melville overuses the imagery of a monstrous whale is to build up the plot and make the readers want to keep on reading.

            Melville uses various rhetorical terms in his book, which makes the reading experience more enjoyable. One example happens when the narrator describes Pequod (68). Personification can be seen when the pronoun “she” is used to address the ship. Simile can also be seen when she is described like a barbarian Ethiopian emperor. I believe that the sailors were so attached to their ships that they viewed her as if she was part of the family, and that is why they personified the ship the way they did. In same chapter, there is also a part where a pun is used, which caught my attention. When Captain Peleg and Captain Bildad were discussing what lay they should give to Ishmael, Captain Bildad quotes the Bible saying, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth—” (76). The word “lay” is first used as a noun that refers to the fraction of the payment one would get after getting a whale, but when Captain Bildad says the same word, he refers to the verb. As for me, I really enjoy when authors use a couple of lines in order to make a subtle joke (even if they are not really funny).

            Two chapters that stood out for me were chapters 24 (The Advocate) and 25 (Postscript). According to what the narrator says, being engaged in the whaling industry was something dishonorable and to be ashamed of. The narrator however, effectively counters those assumptions. He uses historical facts to show how whaling aided the economy from the colonies (108) and how it helped the establishment of Australia (109). Another strategy used to make his point stronger is that the narrator mentions possible counter-arguments the opposition might have and address them individually (109-110).