Tag Archives: hero

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.

Absolutism

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Melville continues to blatantly critique religion as we move through the exposition and finally on to the Pequod. Melville is not against religion but clearly sees a fundamental problem in the way it is practiced, the absolutism. There is so much religion to unpack, I don’t think I can narrow it down to a specific quote. What I have noticed is that Ishmael’s/Melville’s view on religion meanders in and out of Melville’s other messages outlined in Moby Dick. Melville critiques the absolute hero. Numerous celebrated classic novels depict heroes who possess a strong moral compass and are essentially unquestioned*. We are led to believe in an absolute preeminence in these protagonists. Like he does with religion, Melville teaches us to question this absolutism: “all mortal greatness is but disease.” (82) he claims as he explains the peculiarity of the Quaker whalers of Nantucket. Greatness is tied to morbidness because traditionally to become a great hero requires bloodshed. And to shed blood requires a moral compass with more directions for an arrow to point than just good vs evil. Religion is wrapped up in this lesson because it is the peaceful, practicing Quakers who are the most sanguinary whalers, “a man’s religion is one thing, and this practical world quite another.” (83) In our muddled society absolutism is not practical. One cannot fully heed religion when monetary gains are essential for survival. This is a modern concept for humanity in a newly industrialized world. Humans can no longer peacefully farm, trade, worship, repeat. They need money, they need land, and they need whale oil.

Queequeg as whale, as hero, as protagonist, as shepherd of the ocean embodies the questionable hero. Melville presents a hero who is not esteemed for religion, upbringing, or social class, but for the contents of his character, his heart and the skillset he demonstrates.  

*This leads me to believe this is the reason The Sermon includes the retelling of Jonah being questioned as he attempts to ship. And then again on page 79 Ishmael is questioned by Peleg and it is very reminiscent of the Sermon chapter.

*It also makes sense why Frankenstein and Moby Dick are compared to each other. It is not just the vivid imagery, the adventure, or the monstrosity but the grayness of morality that each of these novels lay out for us.