Tag Archives: Queequeg and Ishmael

Queequeg’s Ramadan: A Still Ignorant Ishmael

Posted on by
1

There is a lot that could be discussed in this week’s writing–as it is a big chunk–however, what I found important to note was Ishmael’s thoughts on this “alien” practice of Queequeg’s.

Traditionally. Ramadan is a focused act of fasting, prayer, and conscious acts of compassion towards others. What we see with Queequeg here though, is fasting and prayer as he sits on his hams in their cold and dark room–his wooden doll “Yojo” on top of his head. Ishmael is aware that Queequeg is practicing this in his room, and initially think of himself right to not disturb his comrade. Although, Ishmael becomes increasingly worried and anxious that maybe his comrade might have had a stroke or been overcome by apoplexy.

What I specifically want to point out is Ishmael’s conflicting ideology of religious practices, despite having “the greatest respect towards everybody’s religious obligations, never mind how comical, and could not find it in [his] heart to undervalue even a congregation of ants worshiping a toad-stool; or those other creatures in certain parts of our earth…bow down before a torso of a deceased landed proprietor…” On the whole, this chapter still presents somewhat of a condescending view towards “half-crazy” practices outside of Ishmael’s experience. On pg. 94, Ishmael is finally able to sit Queequeg down and express that “fasting makes the body cave in; hence the spirit caves in; and all thoughts born of a fast must necessarily be half-starved.” This shows me Ishmael’s still ignorant nature, and more importantly, maybe Melville’s dismissive nature towards practices outside Presbyterian Christianity (dismissive might be too of a strong word to use here).

Chapter 13: People Watching Back in the 1860s

Posted on by
2

When I was reading the beginning of chapter 13, this line which Ishmael blessed us with made me curious. “As we were going along the people stared; not at Queequeg so much – for they were used to seeing cannibals like him in the street, – but at seeing him and me upon such confidential terms. But we heeded them not, going along, wheeling the barrel by turns,…” pg. 64. What could this mean for both men and how people view them both?

Was it so common in the US, during the 1830s or 40s, to see cannibals roaming the town streets? Were they minding their own business or were they sceaming and wanting to find their next victim to eat. The fact that the towns people were going about their days as normal seeing Queequeg if he was by himself strolling down the street. But then when both Ishmael and Queequeg were walking together down the road they stared and were most likely concerned for why Ishmael was with this cannibal.

Were cannibals known to be sole survivors of themselves and were not typically seen with other people or was it the fact that Ishmael was a normal looking man with this savage creature that was Queequeg. Were the people of the town racially profiling both men or were they just being cautious and wanting to make sure that Ishmael doesn’t end up being the next name in the obituary paper. From the time period which the book takes place I can see how this challeneged the norms of that time, especially seeing two men who are distincively different together like this.

Maybe people of the town had seen them both many times before walking around together or even eating together. The fact that they also shared a room at the inn would be skeptical too but both Ishmael and Queequeg just kept going through the streets of the town not caring what others might have been thinking of them. Their dynamic was not common and how close they had gotten so close, sleeping in the same bed and even Ishmael calling them “married” at one point. They have shared many moments together so far throughout the story and I wonder how thier dyamic will either stay the same or even change while being aboard the Pequod.

Chapter 10: A Bosom Friend

Posted on by
3

Ishmael, who at once seemed so afraid of the foreignness of Queequeg, has over the course of these chapters become his ‘bosom friend’. I was, at once, astounded at the way Melville wrote the blossoming friendship between these two. Although it could be argued that their relationship is that of a very close friendship between two men, the tropes (like sharing a single bed) felt akin to the romance novels I love to read. Those who also enjoy reading romance novels might have also felt a click of awareness at the familiarity of this trope, and the romantic connotations of being thrust into the space of a total stranger, and the intimacy that results from this forced proximity. Ishmael’s growing positive regard for Queequeg also does little to stifle the feeling that his fondness does not strictly stem from friendliness, but rather a deeper appreciation and attraction. Although he at first considers Queequeg to be ugly and severe, Ishmael begins to warm up to his features and regular presence, regarding him as “by no means disagreeable(p.55),” his eyes as “fiery black and bold, there seemed tokens of a spirit that would have dared a thousand devils,(p.56)” and his head as “phrenologically” excellent. I am left in total shambles at this not-so-shy and growing affection within Ishmael.

This fascination and blossoming romantic interest, is also reciprocated by Queequeg who is “pleased, perhaps a little complimented,(57)” at Ishmael returning as his bedfellow, and proclaims them “married(57),” which supposedly means “bosom friend.” However, I wonder if, through Ishmael’s naïvety and innocence, Melville means to push the boundaries between the prescribed ideals of marriage, between man and woman, by having Ishmael and Queequeg partake in each other’s space, friendship, and religions and questioning “But what is Worship – to do the will of god – that is worship. And what is the will of God? – to do to my fellow man what I would have my fellow man do to me– that is the will of God.” 

Through this internal questioning of the overarching goal of worship and the will of God, Ishmael decides to “turn Idolater (58),” in order to unite with Queeqeg. The steps that he goes through with Queeqeg, and the intimacy that grows between them in this scene, is also reminiscent of a marriage ceremony, an official union that occurs between lovers, which makes me question how Ishmael could possibly see this ceremony as an act simply between “bosom friends”, and not one of lovers. Of course, there is much I don’t understand about queer romance and the expression of coded homoeroticism during this era, but I can not deny that the relationship between Ishmael and Queequeg is a romantic one, insofar as we have read in these chapters. I hope to read much more of their relationship, and hope that it lasts into the days of their voyage!

Week 6: The Sublime and Mystery Behind Queequeg’s Character.

Posted on by
3

“You cannot hide the soul” (pg 55).

These are my favourite chapters of the book. In this chunk of reading, we begin to see Queequeg’s character develop through Ishmael’s eyes. Queequeg, a Pagan covered in tattoos, who shaves with his harpoon, and spears the rarest steak from himself at breakfast, is quite the oxymoron. At face value you wouldn’t agree, but as Ishmael learns more about his shipmates earnest and sweet nature, you could begin to see what I’m talking about. Despite Queequeg’s outward appearance, Ishmael becomes increasingly aware of Queequeg’s generosity and good heart. When talking of Queequeg’s manners and desires, Ishmael says that there was something almost “sublime” in it. We often use this word when describing nature’s beauty or destruction, not someone’s character. I found this fascinating as this is considered a strong word. For something to be “sublime”, it can be grand, magnificent, or even awe-inspiring. Upon looking the word up, this “sublime” can also be used to describe someone’s attitude as “extreme” or “unparalleled”.

Week 6: Queequeg and Ishmael

Posted on by
2

The change that occurs between Queequeg and Ishmael, as well as the further development of their friendship, is worthy of note. In the beginning chapters, Ishmael constantly repeats the narrative that ignorance is the parent of fear and that he has underlying prejudices against Queequeg because he is a cannibal. That being said, later in our reading, it is written that, “[Queequeg] seemed to take to me quite as naturally and unbiddenly as I to him; and when our smoke was over, he pressed his forehead against mine, clasped me round the waist, and said that henceforth we were married…that we were bosom friends; he would gladly die for me…” (57). To see such a shift in their dynamic after a mere two days in each other’s company is conflicting, given the apparent observation. Whether romantic or platonic, their dynamic mirrors the ever-shifting relationship that people have with the ocean.

The ocean is constantly changing, and while there are various descriptions throughout the novel that highlight the world’s fascination with the ocean and the fear that it holds towards the depths and its inhabitants, there is always something that ends up luring them out into its vastness. Ishmael’s quick change towards Queequeg is representative of the change in attitude towards the ocean and its dangers; yes, Queequeg is a cannibal, but after finding the time to pick him apart and get to know his peculiar habits and behavior, Ishmael has developed a strong connection and understanding of his friend, having been lured in by his peculiarities and affection. With understanding and patience comes a sense of stability and safety, one that can be found alongside Queequeg, as well as traversing the unknown expanses of the ocean.