Author Archives: Jackie Alcaide

The Mast-Head

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In Chapter 35, Ishmael is standing on the mast-head to keep lookout while admitting that “…I kept but sorry guard”(171) because he is too emerged into his thoughts. Reflecting back on early class discussions regarding the type of services the ocean provided for people— travel and a form of clarity, Melville demonstrates the impact the ocean has on Ishmael by diverting his attention from the job in front of him to being drowned in a state of reflection while simultaneously being distracted.

During this state of mind, Ishmael reflects on the young philosophers who lack interest and ambition while whaling and then continues to emphasize the importance of not been distracted while observing “But while this sleep, this dream is on ye, move your foot or hand an inch, slip your hold at all; and your identity comes back in horror.”(173) Ishmael seems to realize the influence he has on his own life—the delicacy of life while on the boat.

Queequeg: The Hero

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Very much like previous chapters, Ishmael continues to point out/ describe Queequegs’ savage like tendencies and/ or features in Chapter 13. Pointing out things like “…he showed his filed and pointed teeth.” (P. 66), “… the brawny savage..”(p.66), and “…seen swimming like a dog…”(p.67) Even the young man who made fun of Queequeg behind his back called him “..the devil..”(p.67) after being picked up and thrown up by the devil himself. Melville continues to write about Queequeg in this manner to keep his savage momentum going, to paint a picture of what this man looks like and what he seems to be as a person, just to reveal the kind of man he ACTUAlLLY is—beyond what is written to describe him.

For example, after had been insulted by that young man and by the captain, Queequeg is quick to save not only the boat but the young man as well after being thrown off the boat. Just after his grand gesture, he is thanked and praised for saving the day and now Queequeg is a hero. When a few minutes ago he was a devil and a cannibal who was threatened to be killed. If he were to be as malicious as he was labeled, wouldn’t he have done absolutely nothing to save that man? Melville uses this moment to guide us into understanding the difference between believing what others might say about someone vs who that person is and the kind of morals they stand for even if it does not equate to the label they carry.

While what he did gained the respect and kindness from the others on the boat, Queequeg did not seem to care for their praise as Ishmael says he, “…only asked for water—fresh water— something to wipe the brine off; that done, he put on dry clothes, lighted his pipe…” (p. 68) Queequegs request followed by his thought that “We cannibals must help these Christians.” (P.68) Concluding that the division between the kind of person you are does not reflect what he is labeled as. For Queequeg, he sees Christians as helpless— needing the support of savages like him regardless if they are aware of it or if they want it whereas Christians most likely see people like Queequeg as dangerous and the opposite of who they would consider as helpful. When in a boat full of people, who may or may not have been Christians, the only person to jump to save the young man was a cannibal.

Chapter 7

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In this chapter, Ishmael arrives at the chapel where he is faced with the reality of the dangers from whaling, he is reminded that the end of the trip is not the same for everyone and there is one outcome that can never be overruled as they sail away-death. Melville starts off the chapter with a change of scenery, the once clear and sunny sky changed to driving sleet and mist pushing the readers beneath the dark cloud alongside the sorrowful widows, sailors and their wives as they scan over the marble tablets replacing the presence of the once mortal sailors.

While taking in what is in front of him Ishmael becomes aware of his own possible death stating “Yes, Ishmael, the same fate may be thine. But somehow I grew merry again…Methinks my body is but the lees of my better being. In fact take my body who will, take it I say, it is not me.” (P. 42) Ishmael repeats, almost daringly, for death to take his body for his body is a use of passage for his soul to move freely. In acceptance, Ishmael is not afraid of death as he as his true self will live on much longer, suggesting a separation of soul and body.

Knowing that he just viewed what life was like for the living after the death of a sailor, I think this was a changing point for Ishmael. If there was any doubt or fear that he might have been considering, eliminating the fear of death is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, gain. Humans naturally fight to survive in near death experiences and having an already eased mindset in case of death will most likely push Ishmael into unforgiving circumstances.

Extracts

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At first I wasn’t too sure what I was expecting for the extracts, as I don’t think I have read a book that has a section for extracts. After reading the opening, which to me seemed more of a warning in terms of what NOT to think- to read the extracts with fluidity. The extracts served as entertainment with Holland’s Plutarch’s Morals extract stating, “And what thing soever besides cometh within the chaos or this monsters mouth, be it a beast, boat or stone, down it goes all incontinently that foul great swallow of his, and perisheth bottomless guilt of his paunch” (p. xl) This is what I have always kind of imagined and seen in movies, the way whales mouth are so huge and can sometimes just swallow things whole or tear up boats. The amount of strength that they have is truly amazing, and it sets image of the whale that we will be reading about in the book.

The extracts are also educational, considering quotes like “Ten or fifteen gallons of blood are thrown out of the heart at a stroke, with immense velocity” by John Hunters account of the dissections of a small sized whale. Both quotes are great introductions to the whale that we will be meeting in Moby Dick.

Fear and Curiosity

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What comes first? Fear or curiosity? Being curious over something could inspire you into learning more about it but the strength of the information could become fearful and push you away from further entertaining it. Or being fearful of something can overtime inspire curiosity in order to no longer have that fear.

John Gills backs up this idea in “The Blue Humanities” when stating that before the nineteenth century “The sea was portrayed as dangerous and repellant, ugly and unfit for literary or artistic representation.” At the time, many did not seem to think that the sea was anything to entertain or to be thought of aesthetically. How come? The waters are beautiful, the waves are satisfying to watch but people did not understand it, they did not feel connected to sea so they shunned it away as only a source of travel and food. It wasn’t until writers and painters looked at the sea with inspiration to create, being sensitive with the waters softened the viewing lens of others.

After learning that Melville was a whaler and seaman in class, Melville’s observation that “mediation and water are wedded forever” as pointed out by Gill does not come surprising since he crafted “Moby-Dick”. This is what Emerson was talking about in “The American Scholar” that we as scholars should not only be looking for the accomplishment of the perfect grades and the diploma but more so gain inspiration from the reading/ media you indulge in to create new thoughts and ideas. Maybe a new book, a new painting, a new song, etc., potentially inspiring curiosity into others to do the same regardless of fear. Just as I am nervous of a thick book like “Moby-Dick” but still curious enough to read the book from start to finish to understand why this book is a must read book.

Hi I’m Jackie!

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Hi everyone my name is Jackie! I am an English and Comparative Literature major who transferred from San Diego Miramar College this year. I am super excited to continue my education here at SDSU and I’m looking forward to all the knowledge I will gain from classes. My favorite form of writing is creative writing, I feel like I can write for so long and just pour out my ideas freely. I currently work in dentistry and love working with teeth just as much as I love writing creatively. I am so passionate about both and after graduation I hope to continue working in dentistry while still continuing my writing because why not? 🙂

Outside of work and school, I enjoy creative outlets that mainly involve working with my hand such as painting (even though I am not super great at it), ceramics— which I did in 3 semesters of at Miramar. A newer creative outlet I’ve picked up is learning how to play the drums. My dad is a musician and has guided me into learning how to play the drums, it was so hard for me at first but I’m proud to be able to play a couple songs now. With most of these hobbies, I tend to put them on pause during the semester because things can get pretty hectic with work and schoolwork so I definitely look forward to them during the breaks. 

I am looking forward to this semester with all of you!