Moby-Dick Big Read - Chat discussion
Moby Dick Discussion
>
Chapter 18: The Mark
date
newest »
newest »
Mod
Loved this chapter and that bit with Queeqeg and the harpoon actually blew a laugh up and out of me. (Don't want to spoil it.)
Had to smile when I read good Bildad say, in response to whether Queequeg was a member in good standing of the Deacon Deuteronomy's meeting, that he (Bildad) had "never saw him going there, and I pass it every Lord's day."
Now, of course, it could just mean that he passed by the church on his way to Father Mapple's but it could also be a reference to the false piousness of those who claim the church but never cross its threshold.
Great way to start the morning.
I enjoyed this chapter too, Vikk. And I too have incorporated Moby-Dick into my morning ritual. I get the menfolk out of the house (the younger one to high school, the older one to the office), and then listen and read along while finishing my coffee.
I am enjoying Melville's treatment of prejudice in these chapters. Ishmael is an open-minded and wise man, and I have to believe that this reflects Melville's own thinking. At first the ship's owner is only concerned with the bit of paper that says Queequeg is a baptized Christian, which sounds like he is covering his posterior bits, trying to keep his ship safe (back to your false piousness, Vikk).
Queequeg is finally judged on his abilities with his harpoon, and the ship's owner knows when to stop fussing about God and start looking at his profits, because the bottom line is always money, isn't it? And New Englanders could teach us all something about penny pinching. (One branch of my family comes from that part of the world, so I recognize many of the character types.)
I am enjoying Melville's treatment of prejudice in these chapters. Ishmael is an open-minded and wise man, and I have to believe that this reflects Melville's own thinking. At first the ship's owner is only concerned with the bit of paper that says Queequeg is a baptized Christian, which sounds like he is covering his posterior bits, trying to keep his ship safe (back to your false piousness, Vikk).
Queequeg is finally judged on his abilities with his harpoon, and the ship's owner knows when to stop fussing about God and start looking at his profits, because the bottom line is always money, isn't it? And New Englanders could teach us all something about penny pinching. (One branch of my family comes from that part of the world, so I recognize many of the character types.)
I've incorporated listening to Moby Dick into my routine at the other end of the day. When I get home from work, I download the latest chapter and listen to it while I get changed and ready for the evening ahead.
Mod
Definitely it's about the money but I also had a feeling it could be about the safety, too. Queequeg is undoubtedly highly skilled and that's evident by the immediate offer they make him. No quibbling. Whales need to be killed or the ship could go down. In that instant of Queequeg's demonstration I got a real sense of his proficiency. He should command a lot of respect in that sense anyway but you know there's going to be so much more. :)
Chapter 18: The Mark - Read by David Coslett
http://www.mobydickbigread.com/chapte...
Wow, check out the image picked for this chapter. Apparently it's artist Brian Catling's vision of our beloved Queequeg. (Image is underneath the recording on the Big Read page.)