Day Forty-Six

5/16

The Book: Moby-Dick by Herman Melville

ISBN: 978-1-59308-018-1

Suggested By: Patrick Garcia

Where: Home

When: 5-5:45P

Music: None

Company: The Family

Pages: 65 - 122 (57)

The Lead In: I love the racial undertones in the story so far. The relationship between Queequeg and Ishmael is pretty interesting. Reminds me of Huck and Jim, that just struck me.

The 411 on the 55: They attend chapel in a church completely sailing-themed. Even the pulpit is shaped like the bow of a ship. The pastor has to climb a rope to get into it. His message is completely built off the story of Jonah (swallowed by a whale). Queequeg slips out early, while Ishmael stays till the end.

Ishmael is asked to worship Queequeg’s idol, Yojo, he does, justifying it as a meaningless gesture. Queequeg obviously appreciates it and their bond grows stronger. Later, as they head to Nantucket to get a ship, Queequeg is mocked by a white sailor, but, returns the favor by saving the mocker’s life. Everyone agrees he’s much nicer than his appearance indicates.

Finally, Ishmael spots the Pequod and signs up himself and Queequeg. He doesn’t meet the captain, Ahab, but hears a story about how his leg was taken.

Line of the Day: “I’ll try a pagan friend, thought I, since Christian kindness has proved but hollow courtesy.” pg 81.

The Fact on the Fiction: Many of the original whalers were actually Quakers. Pacifist and reclusive by religion, they dominated the trade and the coast of Massachusetts, specifically New Bedford  (the hub of the trade). New Bedford Whaling Museum