Moby-Dick or, the Whale - Buddy Read

[Tr1sha]

Starting to read this today - I have a LOT of catching up to do!

[Frances]

Ch. 16 The Ship

(view spoiler)[ I laughed out loud at the part of the conversation of Capt. Peleg and Ishmael where he was scaring him with Capt. Ahab's missing leg. And Ish replies nonchalantly with..."oh, wow, poor old dude. That was some ferocious whale". And Peleg's like: "Are you sure you've got sea experience, boy?" 😂

We still don't know WHY he wants to go whaling. It's the most dangerous way to see the world, and not much of it at that -just lots of water. He'll likely see the bottom of the ocean or the belly of a whale. He'd be better off walking cross-country. As Peleg asked, is he running away? Maybe it is true that he is homosexual and settling down with a wife and starting a family is not an option that sounds appealing, and he has run out of excuses to give his parents and friends.
(hide spoiler)]

[Shaina]

Storm wrote: "@Shaina It may be a one time thing, but I'm definitely going to keep a little eye out to see if my boy Willy Shakes comes up again. And yes! I first heard about it in philosophy class in college..."

Storm, thank you for sharing that link. I found it very interesting. I always wanted to know more about this but couldn't find a reliable source.

[Shaina]

Scentofabook aka Saanj wrote: "All of you are so far ahead of me (insert crying emoji)... I am like the class laggard who is benefiting from the toppers' research
For which, thank you!"

Don't worry, Saanj! Take your time. Enjoy the book and please do benefit from everyone's research. That's what buddy reading is about. hahahah!

[Shaina]

Laura, thank you for the summaries you wrote. I'm sure it's quite time-consuming. I understand it might not always be possible to write them.

I loved that sentence as well, " clove to Queequeg like a barnacle". I could really picture it and laughed out loud when I read it. I agree with the foreshadowing. Chapter 19, 20, 21 had a lot more of it. I'm quite excited to meet Ahab but afraid of what's coming as well.

[Shaina]

Kaisser, I missed this," how he saves trifling patches and twines during the sail repairs at the end of ch. 18.". I will go back and read it again. Interesting observation. I agree he was quite hypocritical.

Some of my thoughts based on the last few chapters we read:
(view spoiler)[I like Captain Peleg quite a bit. I thought he was very honest when he said, "Think of that! When every moment we thought the ship would sink! Death and the judgment then? What? With all three masts making such an everlasting thundering against the side; and every sea breaking over us, fore and aft. Think of Death and the Judgment then? No! no time to think about Death then. Life was what Captain Ahab and I was thinking of; and how to save all hands—how to rig jury-masts—how to get into the nearest port; that was what I was thinking of."

My main thoughts when reading the last few chapters have been about how well Melville has handled the subject of being tolerant towards others, be it religion or behaviour. Ish speaks of Queequeg's beliefs and his own. He doesn't try to win him to his side (change his religion). Similarly, Captain Peleg isn't trying to convert Queequeg and is more focused on his skill than anything else. I wonder how well the scene of Ish worshipping Yojo went down with the readers when this was written. (hide spoiler)]

[Tr1sha]

Frances wrote “... I'm so glad I'm not reading this book alone. It would be so lonely enjoying MB by myself. And to think so many people are saying this is such a boring book...”

I agree, even though I haven’t caught up yet. I’ve just been reading everyone’s comments on the first few chapters. Thank you to those who explained some of the details or provided links to more information. This book is a huge surprise, one of those books I always thought I should read but expected to be boring. I’m so pleased it’s a buddy read, I don’t think I would have attempted this book alone but am enjoying it.

[Laura]

I'm on annual leave so not quite in the same routine as usual.
I've been reading each day as scheduled but not had a chance topost thoughts the last couple of days. So I'm catching up:

Chapter 19 - The Prophet
(view spoiler)[Ish and Q meet a stranger called Elijah who tells weird tales of Captain Ahab. Ishmael begins to have doubts about the man who's to be their captain.
This is an ominous chapter Elijah asks them about their souls and suggests all is not well with Captain Ahab. Although Ishmael has doubts he decides that Elijah is a "Humbug".
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 20 - All Astir
(view spoiler)[
A lot of activity on board the Peqoud in preparation for her departure. Cpt. Bildad's sister - Aunt Charity is a prominent figure. They still haven't met Ahab and Ishmael is feeling a little uneasy although loath to admit that to himself.
I liked this chapter as it gave an insight into what's involved in equipping a shop for 3 years at sea. Again the tension is building in regard to Cpt. Ahab being ever absent. Everything we've heard so far has been 3rd hand.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 21 - Going Aboard
(view spoiler)[
Ish and Q prepare to board and make to follow the figures of some sailors they see. They encounter Elijah again. They are then unable to find the sailor like figures they saw. They find a man asleep - the chief mate Starbuck. Ahab is aboard but they don't meet him yet.
The tension builds with the ghostly sailor figures - who/what were they?
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 22 - Merry Christmas
(view spoiler)[
They finally set sail - Peleg and Bildad are certified pilots so guide them out of the harbour. Once again their differing characters are in contrast. Bildad sings - emotional for Christmas day. Peleg and Bildad finally take sentimental leave of the ship. Still no Ahab!

Finally Ish and Q get to work sailing - Ish gets a kick and it's suggested it may be the first of many! There's not much celebration of it being Christmas. Ahab's absence it still explained away by saying he's not yet fully recovered.
There's something quite poignant in Bildad and Peleg's farewell - it's almost as if they may never see the ship again!?
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 23 - The Lee Shore - I have questions???
(view spoiler)[
Bulkington ( who we met in the New Bedford Inn) is steering the ship. This chapter seems to be about avoiding the shore - even although that's where comfort lies - for the ship it's dangerous.

I was a bit confused in this chapter as Ish Says "this six-inch chapter is the stoneless grave of Bulkingon.." - does Bulkington die? He doesn't seem to in this chapter??
It's a stormy winter night and the whole chapter seems to be about the danger of crashing into the shore
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 24 - The Advocate
(view spoiler)[
I liked this chapter.
It seems to serve not only as an argument for Whalers but for this book as a whole. Ish says "I am all anxiety to convince ye, ye landsmen, of the injustice hereby done to us hunters of whales."
He then proceeds to list a number of positive characteristics or achievements of whalers.
This fits in nicely with arguing for Moby Dick itself. Although I'm only starting I feel this book will be worth my time and this chapter argues for that.
(hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Still reading but not having the same time to write thoughts etc. Will catch up soon. How's everyone getting on?

[Frances]

Hi everyone! I thought these might be of help:

Ch. 32 Cetology
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cetol...

[Laura]

@Frances - that's really helpful - thanks!

THOUGHTS Chapters 25 - 33

I won't go through these individually -needless to say we FINALLY meet Ahab and also get some of the Whale chat that I've been expecting for a while.
I loved meeting the crew - the 3 mates Starbuck, Stubb and Flask and also their counterpart Harpooneers Tashtego and Dagoo.

AHAB
(view spoiler)[
So we finally meet Ahab! According to Ishmael's description he looks like a bronze statue and physically desn't exhibit any signs of the so called illness. He does have a scar on his face - about which their are many speculations. Of course there is also his famous leg - a prosthetic made from a sprem whale jaw! How fitting.
We see he has a fiery temper and not much humour in his altercation with Stubbs and his throwing away his pipe.

I thought in Specksnyder it was interesting to learn of the harpooneer "Class" of sailor. Ahab seems to dominate the men in "an irresistable dictatorship" even without strictly adhering to this heirarchical system.
(hide spoiler)]

So I feel like we're just scratching the surface of the men on the ship and life aboard. The character of Ahab still seems far away - as if we're being shown glimpses of him from far off. We haven't really heard much from him directly yet but have been given hints of what's to come.

The Cetology chapter was the heaviest/slowest reading yet. I found it interesting but the difficulty arose in knowing what we know today and trying to figure out how much corresponded with what Ishmael had categorised. Thanks again @Frances for the useful link.

So we carry on...
How is everyone finding it so far?
Enjoying it more or less than you expected?

I feel like I really loved the first few chapters and it's slowed down a bit since they signed on the Pequod but I expect it to pick up again soon.

[Shaina]

Laura, I hope you are enjoying your holiday. I read Chapter 31, 32, 33 last night before I slept and dreamt of every whale mentioned probably.

I really enjoyed the description of the crew but not the chapter on whales. I think it is information which I will never use but take up space in my brain.

Frances@ thank you for the link. Now my dreams will have the right visuals :)

[Tr1sha]

Laura wrote: "@Frances - that's really helpful - thanks!

THOUGHTS Chapters 25 - 33

I won't go through these individually -needless to say we FINALLY meet Ahab and also get some of the Whale chat that I've been..."

I agree, Laura. You summed up a lot of my feelings perfectly. It has definitely slowed down & been less entertaining. The Cetology chapter was hard work, I thought - if that had been Chapter 1, I wouldn’t have continued reading the book! Apart from that, I’m enjoying the book far more than I expected. Unusually for me, I’m using an audiobook for some of it & am finding it very helpful as when I switch back to the ebook I still imagine the narrator’s voice & that has helped a lot.

[Shaina]

Hahahaha! Trisha@ I agree with you completely about giving up the book if Cetology were chapter 1. I, too, am listening to the audiobook though I'm using it simultaneously with the text. This is my first audiobook (atleast the one I have listened to so extensively as I usually give them up before a chapter is done).

[Laura]

Trisha and Shaina - that's interesting about the audiobook. My brother read Moby Dick on audiobook and said he loved it and would not have persevered reading an actual book but the audiobook got him through!

[Samuel]

Yeah, the cetology chapter with its inaccurate info wasn't very enjoyable other than the novelty of getting a glimpse of what people knew about cetaceans at that point.
I also felt that the book slowed a little event wise but I really like the character exposition. It's picking up steam again tho, we probably won't have to wait much to see some action.

[Andy]

I am so far behind!

Chapter 10 &11: (view spoiler)[ So I love Ish and Queequegs relationship. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 12: (view spoiler)[ "Thought he, it's a wicked world in all meridians. I'll die a pagan." The thought of which is mirrored several times in the next few chapters. The concept that the world is a messed up place so might as well make the most of who you are. In chapter 13 its: "It's a mutual joint-stock world, in all meridians. We cannibals must help these Christians."

There was another line in chapter 12 that concerned me more then anything. "...as soon as he felt himself baptized again" referring to Queequeg returning to his Cannibal ways at some point in the future.

Also in Chapter 13 did anyone else pick up on the fact that Queequegs sister was 10 when she was married? Made no mention of how old her husband was.

ALSO THE FORSHADOWING IN CHAPTER 13!!! "Till poor Queequeg took his last, long dive." Like nooooo we just got his character to a place I really like him and then was hit with that forshadowing. Like damn it Ish. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 14 & 15: Lots of history of Nantucket

Chapter 16: (view spoiler)[ Can we talk for a moment about the appearance of this ship? It had to be the most bizzar ship in the harbor! "She was a thing of trophies. A cannibal of a craft, tricking herself forth on the chased bones of her enemies."
I'm not sure I would go anywhere near a ship with that discription.

Interesting fact of the chapter: Most sailors from Nantucket were Quakers!

Unknown word: Parmacetty: also known as a Sperm Whale! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 17: Unknown Word: Plum-pudding voyage: a short whaling-voyage in a schooner or brig, confined to the north of the line, in the Atlantic Ocean Only.

Chapter 18: So... Bidad and Peleg are not making a great impression on me. Also, why can't they get Queequeg's name right? Ish says it SEVERAL times.

FUSTRATION

Overall: I adore this story.

[Laura]

@Andy - I love your comments!

I agree about the foreshadowing! I'm full of trepidation!

I've just finished Chapters 34: The Cabin Table - 39:The First Night Watch

THOUGHTS & QUESTIONS!!!!
(view spoiler)[
So these last few chapters have built Ahab's character a bit and I finally feel like we know him a bit better. Also we've finally "met" Moby Dick! I feel like the pace is picking up again and things are starting to happen!

In The Cabin Table - it was interesting to see a little of the heirarchy among the men and how, although not strictly enforces, Flask as 3rd mate is last in pecking order during the meals.
Also we learn that "socially, Ahab was inaccessible." - a sign of things to come?!

The Mast Head - was interesting to learn about the watch and how they didn't have a crows nest. I liked that Ish admitted not being the best watch :)

The Quarter Deck - things really start to kick off! We see Ahab's charisma over the men and hear his motivation for vengeance on the white whale.
There was som uch good stuff in this chapter! Ahab's speech to the men, getting them all riled up and it's as if they sign a pact or partake of a ritual to swear to hunt the whale.
I think what struck me most though was Starbuck's standing up to Ahab. From what we've heard - he's a formidable character and it takes some will to stand up to him. Although he's ultimately overruled I admire Starbuck for speaking out and not being swept up in the general enthusiasm/bloodlust/hysteria??!!
"Stand up amid the general hurricane, thy one tost sapling cannot, Starbuck!"
Great quote - but good on Starbuck for trying!
This whole chapter is very ritualistic - Ahab extracting a vow from the men to join in his hunt.
I'm interested to see how devoted they remain to this cause as the voyage continues.

Sunset - I enjoyed this chapter being from Ahab's perspective.
The stage directions made me think of Shakespear - and the style of the language throughout the following couple of chapters.
Ahab shows his intentions: "What I've dared, I've willed; and what I've willed, I'll do!"

He also mentions the prophecy - I can't remember exactly - whas this what Elijah spoke about in the earlier chapters??
Anyone remember?

Dusk - We headr Starbucks thoughts...and doubts!
"My sould is more than matched, she's over-manned; and by a madman!"
Again very Shakespearean. Starbuck is becoming the voice of reason.

First Night-Watch - Stubb's voice this time.He seems to think everything is predestined and he'll face it with humour. He sympathises a bit with Starbuck.
(hide spoiler)]

So after a few slower chapters I feel like we're back on pace and I'm loving it again!

[Samuel]

@Laura, regarding your question in the chapter Sunset, (view spoiler)[Ahab shares his name with a biblical king who was wicked and who got his death prophetized. When Ish met Cpt. Peleg and they were talking about Ahab, Peleg told him some people in Nantucket were weary of Ahab because of his name. Perhaps the Nantucketers consider his dismemberment as the fulfilment of a supposed prophecy. Interestingly, the one who prophetized Bible Ahab's fate was also called Elijah. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Thanks @Kaisser! I knew I'd read it somewhere but couldn't remember and hadn't realised the full significance of the biblical connections.

[Laura]

Chapters 40 Midnight, Forecastle - 48 The First Lowering
It's getting exciting again!
Also I'm loving the language and turn of phrase - noticing a lot of alliteration and beautiful imagery.

THOUGHTS etc
(view spoiler)[
So there's definitely in increase in action in these chapter.
In the last play-like chapter we see all the different natoinalities of sailors.
We get some infor specifically on Moby Dick - tales & legends of the infamous White Whale and Ahab'd obsession.
Also it's noted how suitable that particular crew are to going along with Ahab's plan.
Ish ponders why the whale's whiteness particularly bothers him and discusses supernatural connotations of the colour white etc.
There's a suspected stowaway.
We see Ahab pore over his charts - using knowledge of Sprem whale behaviour to plan route and possible interventions to find Moby Dick.
Ish provides evidence of malicious Sperm whale behaviour - to lend credence to his tale and the legends surrounding Moby Dick.
Ahab knows the men need short term aims and the promise of cash so normal whale hunting goes ahead.
Ish and Q weave and Ish ruminates on life, fate and free will. (I loved this)
We have the first whale hunt! The stowaways are revealed and the hunt commences. Each mate has his own method. Ish and Q are with Starbuch and get thrown around by a whale and the storm and thought lost but they're recovered by the ship - by fortuitous accident?

So I am loving this book again!
In Ch 46 - surmises I loved the language.
" Having impulsively, it is probable, and perhaps somewhat prematurely revealed the prime but private purpose of the Pequod's voyage....." There is so much alliteration arount the letter "p". It's intersting to read aloud and hear the sounds. I wonder what effect Melville was going for? The plosive "p" is almost a little agressive? It occurs again in a later sentence "imputation/usurpation/possible/suppressed/impression"

Any thoughts? Those listening to the audio book - was this noticeable?

In The Mat Maker - I loved Ishmael's thought on weaving ressembling life and the interconnection of chance, necessity and free will.
"...with my own hand I ply my own shuttle and weave my own destiny into these unalterable threads."
Just beautiful!

I found the description of the First Lowering pretty stressful! I was willing them to get a whale! Amazing how you are won around to the crew's side.
Alos many questions to be answered about the mysterious stowaways!
Manilla is mentioned but then also a Chinese jacket and they are referred to as "yellow" men. Where do we think the stowaways are from?
(hide spoiler)]

Overall I'm finding Ishmael's narration of this part - since they joined the ship actually - more detached than the beginning of the book. Sometimes it's hard to know what his involvement or feeling was about the events he's decribing. He seems to be keeping himself a bit removed from the narration - anyone else feel this?

So many thoughts!
LOVING it again :)

[Laura]

Also @Kaisser - your spreadsheet is awesome - thanks!

[Laura]

Chapters 49 - 51

THOUGHTS & Qs

Chapter 49 - The Hyena
(view spoiler)[
So this was an inetrestign chapter. I guess the title is because Ish suggests men consume all worries with equinamity in the face of a great danger- such as they experience whaling.
Ish makes a will and somehow feels better.

Nothing about this chapter bodes well!
The dangers they face seem commonplace - even to cautious Starbuck! They have difficult times ahead I guess!
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 50 - Ahab's Boat and Crew. Fedallah
(view spoiler)[
I'm still confused as to where Fedallah is from. A turban is mentioned but I can't imagine that an Indian man would cause such mystery? Any ideas?
Interesting that a captain doesn't often partake in the actual hunt. That Ahab had to smuggle his crew aboard again seems a bad sign - he couldn't rely on Peleg or Bildad to support his wanting to hunt the whale himself.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 51 - The Spirit - Spout
(view spoiler)[
Is it Moby Dick?
The mysterious spout leads them through calm waters and into a storm.
Are the "sea ravens" albatrosses?
There's definitely a sense of impending doom building!
(hide spoiler)]

[Samuel]

Spoilers from chapters 52-54 and some thoughts so far

(view spoiler)[The Pequod meets two whaling ships in the sea, the Goney and the Town-ho. Ish tells us the story of the latter which happened to meet Moby Dick and get a taste of its fury. The book is getting exciting.

Regarding Fedallah and his shipmates I don't know why they are causing so much mistery other than their stowaway status. Perhaps Eastern sailors aren't common in Nantucket? Also what's their motive to join Ahab's hunt? My best guess is that they were involved in the encounter with Moby Dick that took Ahab's leg, although they would need to have a personal stake in this vendetta. I doubt they would travel across the world only to avenge Ahab's leg. We'll see.

I also find Ish a bit removed from the story, mainly taking the narrator's role. Before starting the book I thought he was going to be the center of the events. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Chapter 52: The Albatross - Chapter 54: The Town Ho's Story

There is some more action at sea, or stories of action at sea anyway! It's definitely gearing up for something - I can feel suspense building.

@Kaisser - (view spoiler)[ I agree with your thoughts about Fedallah and the other stowaways. There does seem to be some historical connection with Ahab. I'm sure we'll find out!
I looked for images of Fedallah and found some stuff online and in the Cliff Notes that suggest he was Parsee.
(hide spoiler)]

THOUGHTS
(view spoiler)[
So I liked these chapters for the insight they offered into the habits of ships at sea - how rare it was to cross paths and the different customs employed by different kinds of ships. I like learning about this whaling lifestyle kind of stuff. The notion of "Gamming" was particularly fun.

I enjoyed Ish's telling of the Town Ho's story. He's developed quite a storytelling technique.
He mentions that there was a secret part of the story that Ahab never learned - was it that Moby Dick (or MD as I'm calling him) killed Radney? It seems the Pequod does learn that Town Ho had an encounter with Moby Dick at least and I guess Ahab becomes aware of that much - I wasn't sure exactly what the secret part was. The Town Ho story also gave more insight into life at sea - having to pump the leaking ship and the relationships between the sailors etc
(hide spoiler)]

We're getting further out to sea and I'm still being happily borne along by this tale!

[Frances]

Found this article that was wonderful. I didn't read it in its entirety. I want to savor it as I enjoyed reading Ch.42 The Whiteness of The Whale (which I plan to re-read).

https://lithub.com/the-literal-and-fi...

[Laura]

Thanks @Frances!

I am finding that supplementary articles etc are great as I progress into the book.

[Frances]

Ch.50 Ahab's Boat and Crew
(view spoiler)[
Regarding our extra crewmen from Manilla:

Some online sites say they are from the Philippines (Manila). However, whaling as a trade/profession is not part of Philippine history.

There is also "Manilla", New South Wales, Australia, which is known for fishing. Aboriginal People have a long history of whaling. There is now evidence of American whaling ships having traveled to Australia:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/cu...

Fedallah does not seem to share the same ethnicity as the other "stowaways". Although he wears a Chinese collar, he is not Chinese but may have traveled through the Orient. He seems Asian/Indian in ethnicity.

Ahab had hidden them away because he had hired them unbeknownst to Starbuck/Stubb/Flask to help him hunt MD.
(hide spoiler)]

[Frances]

Ch. 58 Brit and Ch. 59 Squid

How are you all faring? May I just say that if not for Kaisser's schedule and this group, I would have given up several chapters back. This is such a wordy book. And I am starting to feel like I am reading between the lines. As pretty as Melville's prose sounds, I find myself spacing out and wondering what it was that I just read. I end up having to read the chapters 3x...and probably just making an "educated guess" at what he meant. I wish I were a literature major and that I had a professor pointing out the little nuggets in each chapter to me. As is, it is good that the chapters have clear headings such as the above-mentioned, or I might truly be lost as to what Melville was referring to. 🙄

I did enjoy the Cetology and "Monstrous" and "Less Erroneous Pictures" of the whales as I am a 🐋 geek.

[Samuel]

We must thank Laura for the schedule. I only made a spreadsheet based on it.
@Frances, it truly is a wordy book. I haven't needed to use an English dictionary so much before this one. I would be lying if i said I understood the The Line chapter completely. I did like that quote (view spoiler)["All men live enveloped in whale-lines. All are born with halters round their necks; but it is only when caught in the swift, sudden turn of death, that mortals realize the silent, subtle, ever-present perils of life." Ish drops a lot of insightful comments (hide spoiler)] However, I'm feeling rewarded. So far it's been such a beautiful experience and well worth the work.

About chapter 59
(view spoiler)[When I was a little kid my parents brought me to a Giant Squid museum in a nearby little coastal town. They had a bunch of preserved giant squids. Those things are huge, twice as big as a grown up man. It was a shocking experience, I can't imagine how it feels to see one alive at sea. And to think sperm-whales feed on them... Moby Dick must be a terrifying thing to behold. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 61-63
(view spoiler)[The crew hunted their first whale! I can't help but feel bad for the poor thing. Melville certainly didn't save us the gory details. Also for the men, the mortality in this business must have been through the roof. And dying out there is no joke, the sea knows no mercy.
I'm growing fond of the chapters where Ish, or maybe more accurately Melville through Ish, explains to us how whaling works. It's like peeking through an open window into some forgotten piece of the past. It does make the book longer that it might need to be but personally I'm fine with it. (hide spoiler)]

Lately there have been a bunch of whaleboat chapters. I get confused with all the terminology. I found this diagram of a whaleboat useful:
(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

@Kaisser - I liked that quote fro the Line chapter too - very apt!
Also thank you for the boat diagram - definitely very helpful!

CHAPTERS 61: Stubb Kills a Whale - 66: The Shark Massacre
(view spoiler)[
So we finally see a successful whale hunt!
I must admit I didn't enjoy that chapter - I read the whole thing with my face scrunched up!
It's interesting because Moby Dick has been portrayed as such an evil character - I'm almost rooting for Ahab to kill him...BUT ...I felt really sorry for this whale! He was just out tehre minding his own business and ...Wham!

The description of the hunt was pretty gory - this quote particularly struck me: "..spasmodically dilating and contracting his spout-hole with sharp, cracking, agonised respirations. "
This was quite a strong image - the whale literally gasping for breath!

Anyway...
I was a little confused about the interaction between Stubb and the cook. A slightly comedy chapter to lighten the tone perhaps - otherwise it felt a bit random!

I thought it was clever how Ish almost suggests the men and sharks are equivalent in their behaviour re the whale.. hmm?

The whole business is pretty bloddy - the men have to fight off the sharks - they're in competition to scavenge for the whale's flesh.

I wonder if we will be witness to more whale's being killed before Moby Dick? Perhaps this passage is just to illustrate the process. Ish does give us a slight spoiler by mentioning the confusion of the 2nd irons flying around during a hunt.
It all bodes ill!
(hide spoiler)]

Some more, slightly gruesome, action and a further insight into the process of the whale hunt.
I'm still loving this book. I feel like we're more about the process than the characters right now though. Looking forward to some more character driven passages.

How's everyone doing?

[Nóri]

I'm a bit behind compared to the schedule (just reached chapter 50) and also I'm a terrible buddy reader, as I haven't shared a single thought so far, although I have read all of yours :)

But I truly love this book, and I can't stop wondering at all the people who have ever told me it's "just about a guy chasing a whale". It really isn't... to me it's subtly funny, beautifully written, adventurous, with a wonderful atmosphere, and likable characters, each with their own unique personality. Also it's not half as wordy and meandering at getting to the point as so many other classics I've read. It reads more like an adventure novel in the vein of Verne, who I also like a lot.

One of my favourite lines so far comes from an early chapter, when Ishmael ponders religion:

"Heaven have mercy on us all —Presbyterians and Pagans alike—for we are all somehow dreadfully cracked about the head, and sadly need mending."

I smiled really wide at this, and saved it immediately :)

[Laura]

Nóri wrote: "I'm a bit behind compared to the schedule (just reached chapter 50) and also I'm a terrible buddy reader, as I haven't shared a single thought so far, although I have read all of yours :)

But I tr..."

Hey Nori - I totally agree! I'm not sure why people are so down on this book. I'm loving it! Glad you're enjoying too.

[Frances]

I highlighted those wonderful lines too, @Kaisser!

Ugh! I just finished readingThe Old Man and the Sea, and right now I am
👍#teammarlin
👍#teamwhale

and definitely
👎 #teamshark
👎 #teamfisherman

I know what you mean about having your face scrunched up while reading, @Laura. I was grimacing and wincing. And having read TOMATS for the House Challenge was NOT a good idea at this point in time. NO Sirree!!!

[Samuel]

Would you recommend The Old Man and the Sea, @Frances?

[Laura]

Hey @Frances - I'm about to start The Old Man and the Sea for the house challenge too. I read it years ago 2003 I think and it feels like an interesting companion read to Moby.

[Laura]

CHAPTERS 67: The Cutting In - 69: The Funeral

My face stayed scrunched up! :)
And - once again I have some questions?

(view spoiler)[So again I found these chapters a bit gruesome and sad.
They only take the blubber of this enormous animal - it seems so wasteful.
The description of peeling the whale like an orange was particularly powerful - it's so dehumanising (not sure what the animal equivalent is?) and clinical.
I did find the descirption of the process interesting. I can imagine this would be very dangerous for the ship in bad weather conditions.
The skin/blubber debate was interesting. I found it a little gruesome again that Ish uses the exterior whale skin as a bookmark!
Also in one chapter the blubber is called a scarf and in the next a blanket. I assume this refers to the same strip of blubber?
In "Funeral" they mention the whale carcass is beheaded. Did I miss them doing this? I can't remember reading about that.
I guess it's the circle of life - the whale now feeding the sharks and the birds. I also love the idea of the "ghost" of the whale getting a kind of revenge - leaving behind the false legacy of fake rocks and breakers and inconveniencing future ships. I love that!
"..in his death his ghost becomes a powerless panic to to a world"
(hide spoiler)]

Also I'm taking so many vocab notes - learning lots of new (to me) words during this book!

[Laura]

This is not related to the book but I thought you all may be interested.
In 2016/17 I spent 3 months working on a tiny island off the Antarctic Peninsula on an historic base.
There were a lot of whaling artefacts on the island and we used to give cruise ship visitors a presentation about this history of the place - it's interesting to me now putting these items I've seen into some sort of context based on this book.

In case you are interested here is a link to where I worked - it is called Port Lockroy - Goudier Island. It was an amazing experience!
https://www.ukaht.org/discover/port-l...

[Laura]

Link to a picture of removing a blubber blanket:
https://www.coolantarctica.com/galler...

[Samuel]

That's really interesting Laura!
Regarding Ch. 69,
(view spoiler)[When I bookmarked the start of the next chapter I caught a glimpse of the first sentence and it seemed that Ish is going to explain the beheading tomorrow. I didn't want to read further because it's tomorrow's chapter but yea, it looks like we will get an explanation.
This whole ordeal is in indeed really gruesome. In some sense I appreciate that he's being so blunt. It is a nasty business after all, this way we don't run the risk of romanticising whaling, if there ever was some.
I find it curious how he complains about the "vultureism" of the sharks and birds, when humans are performing the same role. I take it as an observation of the amorality of nature. (hide spoiler)]

[Frances]

Kaisser wrote: "Would you recommend The Old Man and the Sea, @Frances?"

@Kaisser, @Laura, I don't want to give anything away, but now would be the best time to read this. It's only 96pp.
*Brace yourselves.

[Frances]

Laura wrote: "This is not related to the book but I thought you all may be interested.
In 2016/17 I spent 3 months working on a tiny island off the Antarctic Peninsula on an historic base.
There were a lot of wh..."

@Laura, you have lived such an interesting life!

[Frances]

My son and I used to watch this tv series called Whale Wars. Have you heard of it? It was an "anti-whaling" show. It would get us so angry to see what was being done to whales. Here's a link to one of the more graphic videos:

https://youtu.be/27nX3Dsv9Xk

It's harder to draw the line when it comes to violence towards animals that we consume personally as food versus what we don't consume/utilize. Currently, we don't utilize blubber anymore for its oil. And I personally don't eat whale. I would have a hard time eating pork or beef if it came from a pig or cow I had petted or personally fed. I have eaten fish that I have personally caught though. I think compassion develops with the connection to a semi-intelligent creature?

What are your thoughts?

[Laura]

@Kaisser - ah I will enjoy today's reading for the explanation.

@Frances- thanks for the link to the show.
I agree it's interesting how we distance ourselves from the killing of animals we eat. I grew up on a croft (small-holding) in the Highlands of Scotland and was surrounded by animals we ate - hens/duck/geese/pigs. Also my dad shot deer on the croft which we also ate so I think I always associated the death of the animal as something necessary to our eating of it.
I think it's a good awareness to have - I hope it makes me appreciate my food more!
I would struggle to eat whale - the wastefulness of the process and the threat of endangerment are concerns.
I watched a really interesting film set in the Faroe islands about the whales hunted by the island community. It's a clever, complex film showing that their subsistence whaling is an integral part of their island heritage - not straightforward but very informative.
https://theislandsandthewhales.com/

[Shaina]

Sorry, I have been busy and haven't had time to discuss anything here. So here go some of my thoughts for the last few chapters.

I loved The Mat Maker chapter. I went and reread the quote from "Loom of Time" and "The Whiteness of the Whale" several times. I also enjoyed "The Lowering". The book has been action-packed in the last few chapters.

Stubb has been quite funny at times. He seems to be growing on me. Two specific instances I found hilarious: (view spoiler)["However recklessly the whale may sometimes serve us," said humorous Stubb one day, "he can never be truly said to handle us without mittens". and making Fleece preach to the sharks. (hide spoiler)] I miss Queeqeg quite a bit.

[Shaina]

Andy wrote: "I am so far behind!

Chapter 12: "Thought he, it's a wicked world in all meridians. I'll die a pagan." The thought of which is mirrored several times in the nex..."

@Andy, I too found these lines from chapter 12 very interesting. I tried to picture how the ship looked based on the description. For some reason, I keep picturing pirate ships.

[Shaina]

@Laura, I agree with you about Ishmael's narration being more detached now as compared to the beginning of the book.
I, too, enjoyed Ishmael's narration of the Town Ho's story. He sounded so different from the narrator of the book. I think he must have quite a bit older while he narrated that to his friends.

[Shaina]

@Kaisser, this Giant Squid museum sounds very interesting. Thank you, for sharing the whaleboat diagram. It's now easier to keep track of the parts being spoken about. I found the Line chapter quote quite philosophical and realized, Ishamael quite often becomes philosophical. Maybe, that is in addition to his feelings/bouts of depression/melancholy?

[Shaina]

@Frances, "As pretty as Melville's prose sounds, I find myself spacing out and wondering what it was that I just read" I face the same challenge. Quite often, I have to stop the audiobook and go back to read the same lines. Thank you, for the link to lithub. It was quite informative.

As for The Old Man and the Sea, I read it last week and quite enjoyed it. (view spoiler)[The old man respected the fish and treated it as an equal. There was dignity in how he caught it. I think it was quite different from how Ahab's crew or the whaling industry treated whales. (hide spoiler)]

[Shaina]

Laura wrote: "This is not related to the book but I thought you all may be interested.
In 2016/17 I spent 3 months working on a tiny island off the Antarctic Peninsula on an historic base.
There were a lot of wh..."

Laura, this sounds quite interesting. I'm sure it was quite an experience! Reading MD must have brought back so many memories.