Chapters 4 through 12 had a few recurring themes such as questioning your own values, questioning the religious values imposed upon you, and even queer tendencies within seamen. Although these themes are beautifully presented and questioned throughout the chapters, I was in awe of the way Ishmael opened up to the reader about changing/challenging personal values and being more self aware in general. In chapter 10, A Bosom Friend, Ishmael is grappling between his own religious values and those of his dear friend Queequeg. Ishmael describes a spiritual like feeling toward his friend and rather than dismissing it, he practiced the art of opening up and accepted this curiosity.

“I began to be sensible of strange feelings. I felt a melting in me. No more my splintered heart and maddened hand were turned “I began to feel myself mysteriously drawn towards him. And those same things that would have repelled most others, they were the very magnets that thus drew me…Christian kindness has proved hollow courtesy.” (Melville, 57)

Ishmael was willing to question his own values and felt peace in not allowing what is expected of him to keep him from understanding more about himself and his new friend Queequeg. He found beauty in the unknown.That can be reflected in his love for the ocean. The ocean is filled with the unknown and sets Ishmael free in a way even prior to sailing on the boat. Ishmael can freely question his values and the religious values imposed on him. Things aren’t so simple and settled like on land but free and ever changing like taking to sea.