The novel is named after Moby Dick because he is the center of Ahab’s obsession and a key figure in his own right. The White Whale’s appearance is unique. He is an exceptionally large sperm whale with a snow-white head, wrinkled brow, crooked jaw, and an especially bushy spout. His […]
Read more Character Analysis Moby DickCharacter Analysis Ishmael
The narrator is an observant young man from Manhattan, perhaps even as young as Melville was (twenty-one) when he first sailed as a crew member on the American whaler Acushnet. Ishmael tells us that he often seeks a sea voyage when he gets to feeling glum. Four times he has […]
Read more Character Analysis IshmaelCharacter Analysis Ahab
Long before Ahab’s first appearance, there is an air of mystery about the captain of the Pequod. The owners hire the crew in Ahab’s absence. When Ishmael inquires about the captain, he is told that Ahab is a man of few words but deep meaning; from the first, it is […]
Read more Character Analysis AhabSummary and Analysis Epilogue
Summary Ishmael explains his survival. In Fedallah’s absence, he had rowed with Ahab that last day. He was tossed from the boat and floated “on the margin of the ensuing scene” but within full sight of the action. By the time the vortex pulled him to its center, it had […]
Read more Summary and Analysis EpilogueSummary and Analysis Chapters 133-135
Summary That night, while standing at his pivot hole on deck, Ahab suddenly catches the scent of whale. At dawn, he notices an impressive, sleek wake of a large whale and soon spots Moby Dick. The chase begins. The White Whale sinks Ahab’s whaleboat that first day. Moby Dick prevails […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 133-135Summary and Analysis Chapters 129-132
Summary Shortly after meeting the Rachel, Ahab distances himself from Pip because he fears a softening of determination in the presence of the child. Growing distrustful of his crew, the captain insists on taking the mainmast watch himself in hopes of spotting the White Whale. A red-billed sea-hawk steals his […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 129-132Summary and Analysis Chapter 128
Summary The next day, a large Nantucket whaler called the Rachel approaches the Pequod. Its captain is an acquaintance of Ahab. In response to Ahab’s usual first question (“Hast seen the White Whale?”), the Rachel’s captain reports that his fastest whaleboat, with his own son aboard, has just recently been […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 128Summary and Analysis Chapters 125-127
Summary Ahab has the carpenter put together a log and line, replacing the old, rotted apparatus, in order to help him discern the ship’s direction and speed. Pip comes to help his captain and so touches Ahab with his madness and sense of loss that the commander takes the child […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 125-127Summary and Analysis Chapters 120-124
Summary As the typhoon continues, Ahab holds his course. Representative of the crew, Stubb sees things the captain’s way. A few hours after midnight, the storm abates; following orders to inform Ahab of any change, Starbuck heads for the captain’s cabin where Ahab is asleep. Starbuck sees an opportunity to […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 120-124Summary and Analysis Chapters 116-119
Summary Some of the Bachelor’s good fortune seems to have transferred to the Pequod, which captures four whales in one day. Ahab’s boat stays out to guard one whale overnight, during which time Fedallah offers the captain an important prophecy. As the Pequod heads for the equator and the anticipated […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 116-119