Ron’s Reviews > Moby-Dick > Status Update

Chapter 67, "Cutting In", in which we learn the first steps in disassembling a whale.

"But thou say est, methinks this white-lead chapter about whiteness is but a white flag hung out from a craven soul." No, I'm more concerned that half of your citations are fabricated, and the other half connected by only your imagination.

Is any of this stuff about whalers liberating Latin America and whale oil being used at coronation actually true? Are whalers even looked down upon, or like any laborer, simply not put up on a pedestal?

Chapters 13-16: Ishmael and Queequeg go to Nantucket to enlist on a whaling ship. Q saves a man from drowning, they have some chowder and get some sleep, and then Q tells Ish that his little idol Yojo (aka Jobu) has decided that Ish will choose the vessel (or rather that Jobu will guide him to it.) Ish goes to the docks and finds three ships, signing on with the Pequod despite its quirky Quaker owners.

Chapters 9-12: We hear the preacher's sermon, Noah and the big fish, naturally, then Ish goes back to the hotel and meets back up with Queequeg. They stay up late talking, and we learn a bit of Q's backstory. They resolve to go to Nantucket together and get spots on the same whaling vessel.

Chapters 7-8: Ish goes to church, ponders the dangers of life and death at sea. Then the preacher comes and Ish describes the pulpit and its nautical theme.

Chapters 4-5 are basically just Ish and Queequeg waking up, getting dressed, and having breakfast. Chapter 6 is a quick note on the quality people-watching in a nautical hub like NYC.