Moby dick analysis summary

On the second day of the chase, roughly the same defeat occurs. Ishmael, who turns to the sea for meaning, relays to the audience the final voyage of the Pequod , a whaling vessel. Bunger warns Ahab to leave the whale alone. Ahab behaves scornfully toward the carpenter. Although Ahab warns Starbuck that there is but one God on Earth and one Captain on the Pequod, Starbuck tells him that he will be no danger to Ahab, for Ahab is sufficient danger to himself. Ahab declares that the chase against Moby Dick is immutably decreed, and pursues it for a third day. Moby Dick attacks Ahab's boat, causing it to sink, but Ahab survives the ordeal when he reaches Stubb's boat.

Newspapers and mail are exchanged. Which guides should we add? Earning Credit. Only Ishmael survives, clinging to Queequeg's coffin.

Moby Dick , the whale, not the novel, is quite literally the biggest symbol in the story. The anxiety that Ishmael feels concerning whether or not he is engaging in some sinful activity with Queequeg definitely lends to this interpretation as well. On his way to Nantucket to find a ship, he meets a rather shady-looking guy named Queequeg. Once we get into Ishmael's thoughts, we learn that the gooey stuff is called spermaceti, and his job is to squeeze the lumps in the sperm whale's head to get the spermaceti.

Moby Dick can sustain numerous, if not seemingly infinite , readings generated by multiple interpretative approaches. Get the Teacher Edition. See Article History. Themes All Themes. Stubb and Flask discuss rumors that Ahab has sold his soul to Fedallah. When engaged with the crew of the Pequod , he sounds dives and then reappears in their midst before they can escape or counter his attack.