Through reading the chapters for this week, I found myself constantly coming back to chapter 78, when Tashtego falls head first into the whale and is saved by Queequeg. This chapter was exciting after a few chapters that did not hold my attention, however, it still felt confusing and I could not figure out why it felt as if it had a deep importance. The passage that held my attention was “diving after the slowly descending head, Queequeg with his keen sword had made side lunges near its bottom…first thrusting in for him,a leg was presented: but well knowing that that was not as it ought to be and might occasion great trouble” (Melville 376). Melville writes an entire passage surrounding not just Queequeg saving Tashtego, but he focuses on how he does it, and he leans deep into this relating to a birth. After reading this passage and truthfully even now this felt strange and out of place to me. However, as I try to dissect what Melville could be doing here, it makes me think of him using the passage to show that rebirth can come even from the dark moments. The men on the Pequod are constantly surrounded by the danger of the sea, uncertainty of their captain, and threat of their own deaths. But this passage and its suggestions of a birth, may be representing second chances and new begins. It shows the level of humanity that is still present on the Pequod. Queequeg did not have to risk his own life to save Tashtego, however he did not haste to jump in after him. This moment feels as though even in the dark moments, there can always be a possibility of a rebirth or second chance. Overall, reading through this week’s chapters started off pretty slow, but was then extremely enjoyable for me. I am excited to hear everyone’s thoughts on these chapters. Specifically on chapter 78 and what you all have made of this passage because my brain has still not been able to fully wrap around why I keep coming back to it.