1) "The manufactured sperm oil possesses a singularly cleansing virtue. This is the reason why the decks never look so white as just after what they call an affair of oil" (330).

Regarding this quote, how does Ishmael's usage of the term "white"describe the overall atmosphere of the Pequod? What does this suggest about his interpretation of the word, and how does this utilization compare and contrast to the "Whiteness of the Whale" chapter? Furthermore, does Ishmael's description of the crew as "bridegrooms" attribute a feminine quality to the men? How does gender play a role in the overall theme of "whiteness?"

2) In contrast to an earlier portion of the chapter, Ishmael explains that, once another whale is spotted, the crew renews the cycle and "the ghost is spouted up" (331). How does the ghost (a traditionally white apparition) compare to the another mentioning of white on page 330? Ishmael describes the cycle as taking a violent turn, and it becomes "man-killing!" How does the new attitude of the men shift? Does this reflect upon the theme of gender? How does gender tie into the differences in whiteness?

3) The theme of interpretation is embedded within the pages of "The Doubloon." Ishmael asserts various statements, such as:

"If we bend down our eyes, the dark vale shows her mouldy soul; but if we lift them, the bright sun meets our glance half way, to cheer" (333).

"Shall I call that wise or foolish, now; if it be really wise it has a foolish look to it; yet, if it be really foolish, then has it a sort of wiseish look to it" (334).

and finally...

"But one morning, turning to pass the doubloon, he seemed to be newly attracted by the strange figures and inscriptions stamped on it, as though now for the first time beginning to interpret for himself in some monomaniac way whatever significance might lurk in them. And some certain significance lurks in all things, else all things, are little worth, and the round world itself but any empty cipher..." (331).

Now, consider this: the zodiac cycle mentioned later on is described as being "one round chapter." Does that seem to tie into the "round world itself?" If so, what does this suggest in regards to Queequeg, with his tattoos that "look like the signs of the Zodiac?" How has his worth shifted within the chapter? Even more so, does the cycle of the zodiac reflect or connect to the cycle of the men? Are we all trapped within the same path, continuously transitioning from feminine to masculine qualities?