Throughout the adventure of reading Moby-Dick by Herman Meliville readers are introduced to characters that come from all different backgrounds and belief systems. The development of friendship between Ishmael and Queequeq is extremely notable, as the growth and understanding between these two characters seems rather abrupt, however, it is refreshing to witness two people from 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 even meets him. However, once the two meet this feeling of understanding begins and their relationship transforms. In chapter ten of the novel title “A Bosom Friend”, Ishmael sees Queequeg sitting alone at the Inn and watches him out of pure interest. As Ishmael’s curiosity grows he begins to talk with Queequeg, they look over a book together, he invites Queequeg for a smoke, and they agree that once more they will be bed mates. Their relationship grows quickly with the claim of being bosom friends, which means that, “he would gladly die for me if need should be” (Melville 57). Through this passage, Melvillie is showing more than just two men forming a bond, he is exploring how people from different backgrounds can care for each other if they allow themselves to open their minds. 

Ishmael’s willingness to open his mind towards Queequeg is fascinating when considering the ways it challenges what would have been acceptable in American Society during this time, with Christianity being the “true” religion. The two men are drastically different, but that did not deter Ishmael, it rather made him more 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 society, it has become far too common for people to judge someone immediately based solely on having differences in race, culture, or religion. However, this is Melville’s way of inviting readers to be curious and learn about others before joining in on the close minded ways of thinking. The fear of the unknown is something that is always being talked about and often the thing that is unknown becomes the object of hate and distrust. This is the same in the situation between these characters, Ishmael explains that many others would be “repelled” by Queequeg and his way of living. Whereas, he is drawn to Queequeg and wants to learn more about him almost as if he was being drawn to him. Melville is using these lines to tell readers to let your curiosity drive you, do not let the fear of the unknown create a close minded space for yourself or else you may miss out on the beautiful things in life. 

With their friendship growing through this passage, Ishmael demonstrates another key example in how opening your mind can draw people closer together. Ishmael is shown trying to understand and respect Queequeg’s culture, even though as he points out, it is extremely different from his own, “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. In a countryman, this sudden flame of friendship would have seemed far too premature, a thing to be much distrusted” (Melville 57). As the men press their foreheads onto one another and hold each other with the declaration of becoming bosom friends, Ishmael is far out of his comfort zone. The progression of their friendship is something that would be too premature for a countryman, which Ishmael points out, however, he completely allows Queequeg to guide this interaction. Melville uses this small interaction between them to demonstrate that building a relationship between two people of completely different cultures and religion does not have to be difficult as long as you are able to show respect and understanding for one another. The text tells us that this interaction is something that would be distrusted by most people around them, however, Ishmael decides to allow Queequeg in and not judge him for the differences that they clearly have. Melville beautifully inputs the line “meaning, in his country’s phrase”. This line may seem small when first reading over, however it is Melville’s way of showing that Ishmael did not only listen to Queequeg, but that he also tries to understand and respect the parts of his culture that differ from his own. 

This passage feels as though Melville is calling out society, both then and now, about their ideas of savage vs civil. It feels that many people are quick to judge others once they realize that they will not conform to what they believe to be “right”. Yet the hypocrisy of this is strong because they then completely ignore the violence and wrongdoings of those that are like minded to them. Ishmael even calls out the lack of sincerity that he at times feels around his own religion, “I’ll try a pagan friend, thought I, since Christian kindness has proved but hollow courtesy” (Melville 57). Around a time that Chrisitanity was viewed widely as the one true religion, Melville opens the door for people to explore what other cultures look like and find relationships that may fulfill you in a way that you have not experienced before. When being constantly told that Christianity is the right way of living it is easy to fall into a comfortability of something that may lack genuine sincerity. Melville provides Ishmael with the strength to push out of that box and look past the culture, religion, or race and focus solely on the connection and friendship that is possible, demonstrating again that curiosity can be the beautiful thing that pulls people together. 

Herman Melville uses the evolving friendship between Ishmael and Queequeg to emphasize that wonderful relationships can be created between people, even with differences in race, culture, and religion. Something that begins with fear and hesitation transforms into a genuine bond that is rooted deeply in a mutual respect for one another. Instead of letting society and his own fears define their connection, Ishmael opens his mind and finds a meaningful relationship that pushes against the boundaries he had found himself in. Melville’s message within this passage remains powerful today, understanding and connection are possible when people allow their fears of the unknown to drive their curiosity into a positive place.