In Chapter 82, Ishmael starts to defend whaling profession in a passionately way and argues on how it deserves a great honor and respect. He starts to compare whalers to noble heroes, gods, demi-gods, and legendary figures like: Perseus, St. George, and Hercules who in their own stories fought monsters and other creatures. Ishmael also mentions that kings and noblemen have been connected to whaling throughout history demonstrating how it’s not a lowly job, but an act of courage and importance to society, hence being the source of the economy: oil, lamps, etc. Melville wants us to recognizes and defends whaling as an honorable glorifying job. In the quote,” The more I dive into this matter of whaling, and push my researches up to the very spring-head of it, so much the more am I impressed with its great honorableness and antiquity; and especially when I find so many great demi-gods and heroes, prophets of all sorts, who one way or other have shed distinction upon it, I am transported with the reflection that I myself belong, though but subordinately, to so emblazoned a fraternity.”(195), Melville uses this tone of admiration, he not only challenges class hierarchies that look down on manual labor, but he also changed the meaning of heroism by placing whalers next to divine heroes! This passage transforms whaling as a symbol of heroism, adventure, discovery and belonging.