In chapter 15, the audience is introduced to a wonderful bowl of chowder; inside the chowder isn’t only a couple of clams or a chopped up cod, but a new understanding and acceptance of who Ishmael is: as the other. It is here in chapter 15 that Ishmael is confronted with a perceived threat outside the Try Pots establishment. Despite knowing exactly what it is he is looking at, Ishmael can’t help but see the gallows within the trees and hanging rope. “…[T]wo of them,” he writes, “…one for Queequeg, and one for me. It’s ominous…” (Melville 73).

Ishmael is now visibly queer as he and Queequeg walk through town. Two men, a Christian and a Pagan, walking through together. As they do so, Ishmael is being perceived and is fully aware of it and is completely uncomfortable with being perceived; the first time he is being othered and walking in Queequeg’s steps—both metaphorically and physically in this instance. Ishmael seeing the gallows among the trees illustrates his anxiety with being considered the other. As someone who has othered Queequeg not that long ago, Ishmael is now understanding what that feels like.

When they arrive at the Try Pots, they are asked what they’d like to eat: clam or cod chowder? Ishmael answers with a question completely rattled by the ‘gallows’ outside. Upon eating the clam chowder—and asking and eating cod seconds—Ishmael regains his confidence. When asked which he’d like for breakfast tomorrow, he boldly replies, “Both…” (Melville 75). In this moment, Ishmael is fully accepting his queerness, even going so far as to argue on behalf of Queequeg, arguing that Queequeg should keep his harpoon—a concern Ishmael had that first night they met. Ishmael realises that the harpoon is apart of his partner, and as such, does all he can to fight for Queequeg’s right to have his harpoon over night.

Through his saying “Both…”, Ishmael’s mind is open for new experiences; no longer is he the closed-minded man who was fearful of Queequeg, but now a man who sees his partner for who he is, not what his is (Melville 75). When othered, Ishmael is fearful initially, but with his partner by his side, he realises that being an other, while initially devastating, allows one to live freely, to love openly—whether it be a Pagan harpooner or a damn good cod chowder.