This novel went by so much faster than I ever expected and I am both relieved and sad to be done with it. It was such a wonderful time reading through this book and being able to close read together in class, it is definitely a unique experience that I am extremely grateful for! Reading through the last three chapters, I did not know what to expect, but it was much better than I could have imagined. Truthfully, I found it shocking how little of an appearance Moby-Dick makes throughout the entire novel. However, it also makes sense that these moments between Ahab and Moby-Dick only lasted three chapters and three days. Ahab’s obsession with vengeance against the white whale has been one of the main focuses throughout this novel. It would be expected to have this crazy adventure book ending, but Ahab being killed in the matter of one sentence was something unexpected but perfectly written. The last sentence of chapter 135, shows the power of nature, “then all collapsed, and the great shroud of the sea rolled on as it rolled five thousand years ago” (Melville 624). Melville points out the power of nature and shows how insignificant this moment is compared to the long history of the ocean. Ahab spent such a large amount of his life preparing for this moment, we even see this obsession to kill Moby-Dick completely take over Ahab throughout the chapters. However, the sea is a powerful and vast thing that will keep rolling, even after the crew is lost and Ahab’s vengeful journey fails. All of it meant nothing when looked at from the lens of nature because the sea will carry on as it always has. Melville ends this novel in just three chapters and it is brilliant. After hours and hours of us reading through this book, the build up ends after only three chapters with Moby-Dick. Giving readers the same experience as Ahab of this long awaited anticipation all for it to come to a quick end.
Moby-Dick
ECL 522: Fall 2025. Professor Pressman
Hi, Alyssa! I’m sad that the novel had ended as well; those last three chapters were a hell of a ride, and it was very enjoyable. The utter insignificance of Ahab’s fued with Moby Dick perfectly highlights how the battle between people (or in another case, races) is so futile in comparison to the broader world; the world keeps spinning despite racial differences and the contrasts between certain people, and yet all of America’s focus at that time was pinned on white superiority and black inferiority. When all is said and done, the world keeps revolving and others continue their lives, but by giving in to the search for whiteness, it not only leads to one’s downfall, but highlights the insignificance of such a desire.
Wonderful response to this ending. I am glad you found the pace and conclusion satisfying and am eager to hear more in class!
And, great comment, Rayne!
Hey Alyssa. I too really liked the last sentence of the novel. It definitely makes the entire chase and journey that the Pequod has gone on seem so insignificant in the grand scheme of things. I feel as though there is no better way to end it, showing how the ocean will continue to move on regardless of the events that took place. I like how you note that all the years that Ahab has spent plotting his revenge and obsessing over Moby Dick ends in a second, truly showing that his vengeance-fueled pride was his downfall. I think Melville decided on this ending to show that even men like Ahab, who was almost like a mythical character, are no match to the unconquerable sea.