This week’s chapters of Moby-Dick were some of the most challenging, but exciting chapters for me. As we finally dive into life on the Pequod, I have found it exciting to learn more about sailing, whaling, and even discovering the ways I have formed opinions on certain aspects of life at sea without ever realizing.  The chapter that I found myself constantly being pulled back to was “The Quarter-Deck” where readers finally get a closer look at Ahab, including his intention and motivation for this voyage. This chapter made me think deeper on nature and the influence that humans have on something that is rather innocent. Ahab hypes up the men for their voyage of getting his revenge on the whale that took his leg, he states “And this is what ye have shipped for, men! To chase that white whale on both sides of land, and over all sides of earth, till he spouts black blood and rolls fin out” (177). Within Ahab’s long winded speech Melville turns the white whale into a symbol of vengeance, taking something of nature and demonstrating how humans often create their own meaning that turns violence onto something rather innocent. It feels that Melville is proving a point to readers by showing us how humans can turn nature into a reflection of their own fears and need for control by creating this thought process that justifies their actions. The white whale is simply in its home and is constantly being chased and hunted, later we find out that Ahab was going after the whale with a knife which is when his leg gets taken. However, through this speech Ahab makes it seem as though the whale had done this horrific thing, when in reality it has been hunted by countless humans and seemed it might be tired and pissed off over constantly being on the lookout. Later in that section, Starbuck has another quote that stuck out to me, stating “Vengeance on a dumb brute!… that simply thee from blindest instinct! Madness!” (178). Melville adding this demonstrates how quickly people are to follow one another without critically thinking for themselves. Starbuck points out that the white whale is simply a “dumb brute” that is acting out of pure instinct and not attempting to be violent. His reaction to Ahab calls out both the captain but also the reader on how insane it sounds to seek destruction against nature. With this chapter it felt that Melville was challenging readers to think deeper on the effect that we have on nature and to take a step back to reflect on how quick humans are to destroy something they can’t understand.

Throughout our readings so far we have witnessed a relationship build between Ishmael and Queequeg. As they grow closer Ishmael accepts Queequeg for who he is and even starts thinking of Christianity through a new lens. However, in chapter 17 Queequeg is participating in Ramadan, he sits in the middle of the room holding Yojo on top of his head all day until sunrise the next morning. Ishmael tries to get him to stand, eat, and sleep but none of those things are important to Queequeg because he is practicing his religion. This is when we see Ishmael take a step back from his accepting behavior and begin to feel as though he must save Queequeg, “I have no objection to any person’s religion…But when a man’s religion becomes really frantic;… then I think it high time to take that individual aside and argue the point with him” (94). The inclusion of this chapter by Melville is extremely important as a way of demonstrating the truth behind the thought process of people during this time. Christianity was not seen only as a religion, but rather as almost a fact and universal truth. The showing of pure hypocrisy during this passage was definitely a smart choice by Melville. The passage starting off with Ishmael saying he does not judge but then he goes straight into judging was possibly a way for Melville to show him as an unreliable narrator at times? To Ishmael, his thought process makes complete sense, but to readers his ideas being completely hypocritical is obvious. 

Ishmael even decides he must have a conversation with Queequeg simply because he believed it was, “bad for health;useless for the soul” (94). This again demonstrates how much any religion that was not christianity was seen as completely far fetched and ridiculous. Ishmael feels like he needs to teach Queequeg and explain religion to him, when Queequeg has his own beliefs and has not tried to force them onto Ishmael. Melville is asking readers to have an open mind and realize that just because someone has different beliefs does not mean they are wrong or ridiculous for their way of living. 

Another quote from these pages that stuck out to me was, “he no doubt thought he knew a good deal more about the true religion than I did” (95). This part of the passage definitely supports everything that I have noted earlier in this blog. However, it also got me thinking about everything Melville could be using this passage to convey to readers. One thing that came to mind is that he might be showing that change isn’t linear. Ishmael’s ideas about religion are not just his own, the majority of the people during this time thought this way as well. Maybe this is a way for Melville to show that changing those ideas takes time and true effort? This is something I found extremely interesting and I will keep this idea in mind as we read more of the novel.

While reading chapters four through twelve of Moby-Dick the development of friendship between Ishmael and Queequeg was extremely notable. The growth of understanding and friendship between these two characters seems rather abrupt, however, it was refreshing to see two people from rather opposite backgrounds begin to bond and respect each other. Throughout chapter three of the novel, we see Ishmael do anything in his power to remove himself from Queequeg path before he ever meets him. However, once the two meet this feeling of understanding begins and really transforms in chapter ten. Ishmael’s open mind towards Queequeg was fascinating because of the ways it challenges what is considered acceptable in American society during these times. The men are drastically different, but those factors did not deter Ishmael, they made him curious, “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” (Melville 57). Within Melville’s society, it had become far too common to judge someone immediately based on whether they came from a different race, culture, or religion. However, this is his way of inviting us to be curious and learn about others before joining in on the close-minded ways of judging before we understand. Through their relationship, Melvillie is showing more than just two men becoming friends, he is exploring how people from different backgrounds can care for each other if they allow themselves to open their minds. 

Ishmael and Queequeg become friends despite their different upbringings, but Ishmael is also shown understanding and respecting Queequeg’s culture. One way that this is shown in the novel is after they spend time reading and smoking together, their friendship deepens, it states, “he pressed his forehead against mine, clasped me round the waist, and said that henceforth we were married; meaning, in his country’s phrase, that we were bosom friends; he would gladly die for me if need should be” (Melville 57). This passage holds its importance with Melvillie’s word choice. Ishmael acknowledges that the showing of intimacy from Queequeg, such as a kiss on the forehead along with the term “married” is simply his way of saying they have become very close friends within his culture. Melville expands on the idea that within American society these gestures would be seen as way too quick and should be signs to further distrust someone. However, Ishmael’s understanding and respect for Queequeg and their newfound friendship allows him to put aside the toxic idea that American/Christian thinking is the only valid way. While reading it felt like Melville is calling out society for their idea of savage vs civil and how quickly everyone is to judge others that don’t conform to their ideas, but completely ignore the violence and wrongdoings of those that are like minded. This reading was great and I am extremely interested to see where Ishmael and Queequeg’s relationship is taken throughout the novel.