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I conquered the white whale
I finally finished reading Moby Dick (after putting it aside several times.) Thanks to all who put up with my commentary on each chapter when I first started reading it. I discontinued posting about it here and switched over to making handwritten notes in each chapter as I finished it. Doing that helped me stay engaged with the book. I've heard ( Read more... ) -
Chapter 16: The Ship
After consulting Yojo, one of his pagan deities, Queequeg insists that it’s up to Ishmael to pick out a whaling ship for them to work on. Ishmael reluctantly agrees, not really trusting his own judgment, and finds a ship that he likes, an old, unusually built ship that made use of whale teeth and bone in its construction. That would be the Pequod, ( Read more... ) -
Chapter 15: Chowder
Upon their arrival in Nantucket, Ishmael and Queequeg check into the Try Pots inn, which is run by the innkeeper's wife. The inn is known for the clam and cod chowders that it serves ( Read more... ) -
Chapter 14: Nantucket
Ishmael and Queequeeg finally arrive at Nantucket. This short chapter describes the island and its natives, natural seamen according to the book, in great detail. There are many exaggerated legends describing how difficult life is on the island. "But these extravaganzas only show that Nantucket is no Illinois." herman melville, moby dickChapter 13: The Wheelbarrow
Ishmael and Queequeg finally leave New Bedford together and set sail for Nantucket. Their unlikely, close friendship draws attention from people ( Read more... )Chapter 12: Biographical
Queequeg is actually a pagan prince from the island of Kokovoko or so he tells Ishmael. Melville describes the location vaguely: "It is not down in any map; true places never are ( Read more... )Chapter 11: Nightgown
Melville wrote very short chapters. That's one reason this book has over a 100 of them. This chapter is one of the briefest. Ishmael and Queequeg are passing the night comfortably snug in their bed. Ishmael encourages his friend to tell him his life story, which he will begin doing in the next chapter.
This entry was originally posted at herman melville, moby dickA Bosom Friend
Ishmael returns to his room and finds Queequeg who had left the service early. In this chapter, Ishmael forges a strong bond with Queequeg that they both liken to marriage. Ishmael needs to overcome his wariness to do so. "You cannot hide the soul. Through all his unearthly tattooings, I thought I saw the traces of a simple honest heart; and in his ( Read more... )The Sermon
This was a longer chapter than the last, and I was somewhat distracted while reading it. It focuses on Father Mapple's sermon about the story of Jonah. Ishmael listens to it but doesn't have much of a reaction to it. It talks a lot about Jonah's ordeal, which ends only when he folows God's will, which is: "To preach the Truth to the face of ( Read more... )The Pulpit
This was a very short chapter focusing on the entrance of Father Mapple, the chaplain. It describes the pulpit he uses to deliver his sermons, which is designed to resemble the bow of a ship, complete with rope ladder rather than stairs to climb up. Ishmael ponders why it is made to look like this ( Read more... )