Chapters 45-48 Discussion Questions

Discussion Questions

1.  In "The Affadavit," Ishmael claims, "So ignorant are most landsmen of some of the plainest and most palpable wonders of the world, that without some hints touching the plain facts, historical and otherwise, of the fishery, they might scout at Moby Dick as a monstrous fable, or still worse and more detestable, a hideous and intolerable allegory" (172).  While in the footnote it states that "Melville is not referring to the book Moby-Dick" but rather to the white whale itself, much of the analysis surrounding the white whale done concerns its allegory, especially in the context of slavery in America.  Knowing this, what are we supposed to do with Ishmael's warning to stray away from treating the whale as simply an allegorical figure?  Meanwhile, he also asserts that this mistake of misinterpreting Moby-Dick is a problem unique to "landsmen."  Though we ordinarily associate land with safety and knowledge, here Ishmael attributes the greater understanding to sailors and the like.  How does this fit with Melville's agenda to break down traditional viewpoints and destroy binaries?

2.  The beginning of "Surmises" offers a commentary on Ahab, noting his willingness to "sacrifice all mortal interests to [his] one passion" (177).  More miraculous than Ahab's monomania, however, is his ability to control those who do not even agree with his irrational quest.  Starbuck, his first mate, after reflecting on his disinterest in hunting the white whale in "Dawn," proceeds to go along with the mission, as his "body and [his] coerced will were Ahab's, so long as Ahab kept his magnet at Starbuck's brain" (177).  What does Starbuck's submission to Ahab's power, despite his disagreement about the fundamental principles of the voyage, say about the nature of tyrannical power and the mob mentality?  How does Ahab brainwash people who are conscious of being brainwashed?  Why is Starbuck unable to break free?

3.  In "The First Lowering," after the crew of the Pequod finally meets the stowaways, Ishmael has a strange foreboding.  He "silently recalled the mysterious shadows [he] had seen creeping on board the Pequod during the dim Nantucket dawn, as well as the enigmatical hintings of the unaccountable Elijah" (183).  Why do the new crew members resurrect the eeriness of the chapters that took place on land?  What does the reference to Elijah, the prophet, hold in terms of the success of their voyage?  Could Ishmael's instinct be connected to the conclusion of the chapter, in which Queequeg stabs a whale, but it gets away and harms their boat?  At what price will killing Moby-Dick come?