Tag Archives: week 9

Week 9

Posted on by
4

In chapter 44, Melville highlights the negative effects obsessing over the past has on a person’s mental health by Ishmael’s narration of how Ahab’s obsession over the whale is causing him to spiral more into madness. Ishmael says, “God help thee, old man, thy thoughts have created a creature in thee; and he whose intense thinking thus makes him a Prometheus; a vulture feeds upon that heart for ever; that vulture the very creature he creates” (Melville 220). Here, Ishmael is observing the fact that Ahab’s obsession of killing the whale is consuming him from within. Ahab is a monster in the making right in front of everyone’s eyes. This suggests that Ahab’s fixation on revenge has shaped his inner self, how his thoughts became the very reason for his suffering. Melville here is showing how when the mind is trapped in an endless cycle of vengeance, it becomes a saboteur of the individual.

Prometheus is from Greek Mythology and his story was he defied the gods and his punishment (which is what’s mentioned) is he was chained to a rock where a bird would eat his liver which would then regenerate overnight, only for the same thing to keep happening. And with the comparison to Prometheus, Melville shows how Ahab’s obsessive thoughts are becoming his own punishment, one that feeds at him endlessly. Ahab’s torment is self created and it is causing him to spiral more into insanity. When one cannot let go of the past, it can become their own destroyer. As seen with Ahab, his obsessive thoughts are ruining his mental state and physical state. His bad state is so noticeable that his crewmates, like Ishmael, are able to point it out. Also seen in earlier chapters, other crewmates also point out Ahab’s madness. This shows how people are able to recognize the negatives of obsessing over the past and how it leads to self destruction

The curse of overthinking

Posted on by
3

Chapter 44, “The Chart,” gives us some insight on Ahab’s plan to find Moby Dick. He is obssessively charting a course for the Pequod that may guarantee them an encounter with the whale, but there are too many variables. We also get insight into Ahab’s fixation and how it shapes his every waking (and dreaming) moment. His thoughts are about Moby Dick alone and he is slowly consumed by them. In page 220, Melville writes, “God help thee, old man, thy thoughts have created a creature in thee; and he whose intense thinking thus makes him a Prometheus; a vulture feeds upon that heart for ever; that vulture the very creature he creates.” The mention of Prometheus is an interesting one because it highlights the consuming quality of fire, something that is evidently going on in Ahab’s mind. However, recalling the story of Prometheus, he was punished for defying the gods and giving fire to humanity, which caused him to be tortured for eternity. This chapter is presumably in Ishmael’s point of view, which means that choosing this reference purposefully paints Ahab in a heroic and tortured light, although Ahab is clearly helping no one in madly chasing the whale. Ishmael has started idolizing Ahab, specifically starting from the moment he agreed to the crazed chase for the whale, and now sees him as a type of mad intellectual, tragically cursed for thinking too much. Additionally, in the story, an eagle would eat Prometheus’ liver every night, which is parallel to the passage above, only for Ahab it’s “a vulture that feeds upon that heart forever,” and the vulture is a creature of his own making. This part is evidence that Ishmael does recognize Ahab’s part in his own suffering, and he pities him, but the tone in which he describes this still paints Ahab in a poetic light and as a kind of victim. As Ahab becomes increasingly fixated on catching the whale, Ishmael observes in wonder and admiration.

Chapter 55: An Interlude

Posted on by
1

In this chapter we pause the narrative once again, to return to Ishmael’s wide berth of knowledge concerning the worldly and historical preconceptions of what whales look like, based on depictions of artists and scientists that have never seen a living whale. As can be expected, they’ve got it all wrong : “Consider! Most of the scientific drawings have been taken from the stranded fish; and these are about as correct as a drawing of a wrecked ship, with broken back, would correctly represent the noble animal itself in all its undashed pride of hull and spars (288).” 

This pause, for suspense, serves as a narrative reminder that we are about to embark into the unknown, and never seen before. The great leviathan is about to be viewed in its natural environment, thrashing in the roiling sea. This chapter is a reminder, that in the grand scope of historical documentation, from the ancient Egyptians to Melville’s present, there has been very little understanding of the size, or scope of such a marvelous creature. And then, there is the reminder, that the only way to be intimated with the sight of the whale, is to embark on the dangerous and often ill-fated task of whaling.

What is interesting is that Ishmael seems to be most focused on the one thing these images, skeletons, and even carcasses can not capture, it soul: “even in the case of one of those young sucking whales hoisted to a ship’s deck, such is then the outlandish, eel-like, limbered, varying shape of him, that his precise expression the devil himself could not catch (289).” To stare into the eye of the living creature, one must meet it in it’s living state, submerged and alive within the water.

Within context of whaling and the Pequod

Posted on by
Reply

From reading chapters 42-57, it is clear that Ishmael shapes his worldview and takes hostile identities from the unidentified and unknown, labeling it as supernatural, in order to adhere to his romantic feelings on whaling. In chapter 50, Ishmael talks about the castaway saved at sea, Fedallah, speculating, “Whence he came in a mannerly world like this…so far as to have some sort of half-hinted influence…” Ishmael here is a bit frustrated, trying to piece together into his worldview why Fedellah was so integral into the force of the Pequod if not uncivilized? He sees Fedellah as an independent, yet vulnerable force onto the ship because he is educated and intellegent. This brings into question the origin and formation of dominating narratives into society that see people as blank canvases to write heroism and transgression when there was none in the first place. This is dangerous as Ishmael sees the Pequod’s mercy decision as righteous, instead of seeing the rescue of castaways as human decency. He sees Fedellah as a “half-hinted influence” brought supernaturally from heaven, expected to influence the narrative of the whaler’s autonomy; but this only means that Fedellah is nothing short of an instrumental pawn in a game, rather than seeing the man as a person with his own agency and role in the world. He also states the nautical life as distinctly separate from the land when he says Fedellah unexpectedly happened to be in a mannerly world like this. Here, not only does he dehumanize Fedellah, but he contextually imprisons him into a person with no origin. This gives Ishmael reason to call his worldview the only right concept apart from others, emphasizing the nautical life as mannerly, compared to back home in New Bedford.

The Separation of Nations – Week 9

Posted on by
2

One quote from the beginning of this week’s reading has stuck with me throughout the duration of my reading. From Chapter 48, “The First Lowering”, reads the quote, “The jets of vapor no longer blended, but tilted everywhere to right and left; the whales seemed separating their wakes. The boats were pulled more apart” (pp. 244). The reason this quote stuck out to me was that, after our group discussion in class on Thursday regarding the search for an understanding of whiteness and the “one drop rule” applied to identifying and categorizing black individuals versus whites, there seemed to be a bit more development on the topic through this quote. As we know, Melville is using Moby Dick to critique the circumstances of the United States in the late 19th century, building on the idea that, without understanding what whiteness is and what exactly makes it superior to other colors, one will lose their identity and their mind (as seen through Ahab). The idea as a whole is quite absurd.

From this quote, we can dissect and categorize two key components of this work of literature: the whales (white superiority/colonialism/the right to Westward Expansion/etc.) and the ships (nation-states). Through the desire to obtain this idea of “whiteness” and all the havoc it creates, the turmoils with which those searching for it succumb to, can create a nation-wide divison, whether between two or more countries, or the two races within one. This quote indirectly lays claim to the fact that the idea of segregation and superiority simply based on the rule of “whiteness” will divide the people of our nation now, and for long after in the future.

Week 9 : Chapters 43 – 57

Posted on by
2

As I begin to dive into this section of reading, something that keeps sticking out to me is the way in which Ishmael has started to speak about whales since joining the mission Ahab is on. In Chapter 45, The Affidavit, he is trying to express to the readers just how possible what is happening in their book is by discussing the habits and stories about sperm whales. But one quote that really stuck out to me was him saying “The man and the whale again came together, and the one vanquished the other.” (Melville, page 222) This quote does not exactly seem to truly have any significance to the overall message he is trying to present, but it really stuck with me.

I think the use of the word “vanquished” within this quote is so extremely impactful and shifts the way in which I feel the whale is being spoken about. It seems that since Ahab brought them all in on his mission of vengeance against Moby Dick, the whale is being spoken about in a more mythical sense, much like the way Ahab was spoken about prior to his introduction. it feels, to me, as if Melville is really trying to emphasize the true size and threat of the whale. Earlier in the book, he was really emphasizing just how massive sperm whales were to give the readers a perspective that they might not have, but now it seems like the power of the whale is what is being emphasized. This is effectively setting up the whale as such a looming presence on the ship despite it not having made an appearance yet.

I am not sure if this is the way it has been throughout the book and I am just now noticing, but I think regardless it is really impactful to the experience of reading.

Peril and Perspective

Posted on by
1

In Chapter 49, “The Hyena,” Ishmael observes: “There is nothing like the perils of whaling to breed this free and easy sort of genial, desperado philosophy; and with it I now regarded this whole voyage of the Pequod, and the great White Whale its object” (Melville 247). This line is a perfect window into how danger shapes our perspective. Ishmael recognizes that life at sea, with all its risk and unpredictability, cultivates a kind of philosophy that is both relaxed and daring, a mindset able to face the unknown with humor and courage.

The phrase “genial, desperado philosophy” was particularly striking to me when I read it. It suggests a blend of lightheartedness as well as recklessness, implying that those who risk everything in whaling develop a worldliness that is fearless but still very aware of their mortality. Melville emphasizes that danger doesn’t simply terrify us; it actually transforms us. The “perils of whaling” are not just physical threats; they are existential challenges that force the crew to confront the fragility of life and the immensity of the sea, as well as how and why those two things go together. In that confrontation, Ishmael discovers a philosophy that allows him to continue and do well aboard the Pequod: a balance between courage, reflection, and acceptance.

The second part of the sentence, “and with it I now regarded this whole voyage of the Pequod, and the great White Whale its object,” shows how this mindset reshapes Ishmael’s understanding of the Pequod’s mission. The whale, often interpreted as a symbol of obsession or fate, is no longer just a terrifying goal but a lens through which to view the larger adventure at sea. Danger has cultivated perspective: the risks of the sea give him insight, allowing him to see the voyage and the whale philosophically rather than purely emotionally, more so like Ahab. Life’s perils, Melville seemingly suggests in this chapter, are inseparable from the growth they provoke.

This reflection also resonates with the novel’s broader theme of confronting the unknown. The “genial, desperado philosophy” is not just useful for whaling; it is a metaphor for human life, where risks, failures, and uncertainties are what cultivate resilience and insight. Melville presents whaling as a microcosm of existence, where courage and humor are necessary tools for navigating the unpredictable currents of the world. In Ishmael’s words, the philosophy of the Pequod’s crew becomes a guide for enduring the chaos of life itself.

This passage shows how Melville blends adventure with reflection. The dangers of whaling don’t simply create fear in his characters; instead, they create wisdom. Through Ishmael, readers are invited to consider how peril shapes perception, transforms experience, and cultivates the kind of free and daring philosophy necessary to face the vast, unknowable forces of the sea and of life itself.

Chapter 44: The Chart

Posted on by
1

In chapter 44, Ishmael explains on how obsessed Captain Ahab has become on planning his hunt for Moby Dick. Melville writes,” God help thee, old man, thy thoughts have created a creature in thee; and whose intense thinking thus makes him a Prometheus; a vulture feeds upon that heart for ever; that vulture the very creature he creates”,(220), in this passage Melville explores how obsession can transform the human mind into its own tormentor and how easy it is to loose yourself to madness when the thoughts come to deeply to torment the human mind. He transforms Ahab has a victim and the creator of his own madness. The phrase,” God help thee” is recognizing that Ahab is suffering and no one can save him, but Him. When he says the “creature” it represents the madness being born inside of him from his obsession with Moby Dick, while comparing him to Prometheus due to both being defiant and both being punished for not fulfilling their duties. Melville uses imagery to to warn us, the audience, about the conception of madness of the human mind, becoming to much of a delusion of something we can’t let go.

I recently read Terry Eagleton’s, “Literary Theory: An Introduction,” in one of his chapter, psychoanalysis, Eagleton discusses that psychoanalysis views that humans are driven by unconscious desires and compulsions that they don’t comprehend, which comes as a clear example: Ahab’s obsession with Moby Dick.

Flask and Daggoo sitting in a tree…

Posted on by
3

At last, we have found whales within the deep! Chapter 48 sees the introduction of a few new characters, such as the individuals acting as Ahab’s contingency plan against mutiny, as well as a first look at what whaling entails for the crew. Nathaniel Philbrick’s comment about how Moby-Dick could allow aliens to understand 1800’s whaling makes sense, at last!

I feel the need to make a point that it is very clear that Ishmael has a type – first his loving descriptions of Queequeg, then the way that he described Daggoo and Flask on the whaling ship:

“But the sight of little Flask mounted upon the gigantic Daggoo was yet more curious; for sustaining himself with a cool, indifferent, easy, unthought of, barbaric majesty, the noble negro to every roll of the sea harmoniously rolled his fine form. On his broad back, the flaxen-haired Flask seemed a snow-flake. The bearer looked nobler than the rider. Though, truly, vivacious, tumultuous, ostentatious little Flask would now and then stamp with impatience; but not one added heave did he thereby give to the negro’s lordly chest. So I have seen Passion and Vanity stamping the living magnanimous earth, but the earth did not alter her tides and her seasons for that.” (241)

While Flask is described as one might describe a princess or a child – impatient, little, ostentatious – Daggoo is described with words synonymous with nobility – indifferent, lordly, majesty, noble. While Flask is the leader of the boat, the one that is urging the men and calling the shots, Daggoo is painted as the reliable, quick thinking, and sturdy man that ensures it continues.

It seems that any moment we meet a new character with darker skin, we find ourselves given an in-depth description of the way that they carry themselves and the continence of their brow. Yet many of the cast that are white or in power remain faceless within the crew of the Pequod, save Ahab. This reinforces the narrative that Melville was presenting us – that whiteness is absence, that the war that was building at the time was senseless, and that slavery exists for little men to feel as though they have power beyond themselves.

Ahab & Prometheus

Posted on by
2

As our characters continue to pursue their mission to hunt down Moby Dick, Ahab’s seemingly vengeful quest slowly reveals his obsessive state of mind that gradually affects his leadership.

This charismatic leader is becoming more maddening over time as his quest for his personal revenge stretches on, jeopardizing the mission and the lives of his men. The more time that passes on the Pequod, the more Ahab is driven further into his obsession, leaving him feeling like he is lacking.

“What trances of torment does that man endure who is consumed with one unachieved revengeful desire. He sleeps with clenched hands; and wakes with his own bloody nails in his palms.” (219). 

This uneventfulness to him is described as torment and his lack of achievements are causing his low morale and deteriorating mindset. This feeling is then manifested in a physicality when it describes him inflicting self-harm—a clear sign of his extreme emotional distress. 

To encapsulate this emotional state, Ahab is then compared to the Greek God Prometheus to reflect on how his continued obsession will eventually lead to godly punishment.

 In the story of Prometheus, the Greek God of striving, he is characterized as having a particular reputation for being a trickster with the fallibility of favoring the humans. His obsession of gaining humanity’s favor leads him to steal fire from the Gods and give it to the humans as a gift. As a result of stealing he was punished by Zeus, who forced him to be chained to a rock for all times and ensured that everyday a vulture would eat his liver that continuously grew back. 

Prometheus’ story can be considered a lesson about the risk of overreaching achievements resulting in unintended consequences. In the context of Ahab, it becomes a metaphor for how Ahab’s obsession will become his undoing.

“God help thee, old man, thy thoughts have created a creature in thee; and he whose intense thinking thus makes him a Prometheus; a vulture feeds upon that heart for ever; that vulture the very creature he creates.” (220).

 In the line, “that vulture is the very creature he creates,” the vulture is Ahab’s obsession, a feeling that he has made up as a response to losing his leg and blaming the whale for it. Pointing out that the vulture is of his own making, shows that the way Ahab is feeling is simply a construct he made for himself. He chooses to feel this way and project these emotions onto the whale and the idea of taking revenge. So, when he’s unable to attain that, his obsession becomes self-inflicted punishment of the mind. 

 The story of Prometheus is meant to reflect the direction that Ahab’s obsession with the White Whale will take the narrative. It’s clear from Ahab’s recent actions that he isn’t in the right state of mind despite being the captain of the ship. He is not leading with purpose but by obsession that is border-lining madness. If he continues this pursuit of revenge, there will be Godly retribution, most likely in the form of a whale.  His non-stop chase of the White Whale will make him grow increasingly mad, transforming this previously charismatic leader into a chaotic, unhinged force that will lead the crew with erratic passion rather than a captain’s logic. When facing a Leviathan such as the White Whale, one has to be in a clear state of mind or they will die. If the Pequod maintains their pursuit, Moby Dick will be the God that will bring upon Ahab’s death.