MOBY-DICKReading #8

Ishmael’s beliefs about cannibalism

• Chapter 65 – (top of pg. 292)1. Note the irony Ishmael points out about

Stubb eating the whale by its own light.2. Note Ishmael’s belief that, essentially, we

are all cannibals. (“Who is not a cannibal” (292).

The actual Heidelberg Tun

• The Heidelberg Tun is an extremely large wine vat contained within the cellars of Heidelberg Castle. There have been four such barrels in the history of Heidelberg; the present one has a capacity of approximately 220,000 litres (58,100 U.S. gallons) and was made in 1751.

• sper·ma·ce·ti     P    (spûr m -s t , -s t )n. pl. sper·ma·ce·tis –A white, waxy substance consisting of

various esters of fatty acids, obtained from the head of the sperm whale or another cetacean and used for making candles, ointments, and cosmetics.

The Head of the Whale, Tashtego, and the Imagery that follows

• Chapter 78 – (pg. 331) – Re-read this passage closely; with what images does Melville seem to be drawing a parallel to the cutting into the head?

“on a sudden, as the eightieth or ninetieth bucket came suckling up – my God!

poor Tashtego…dropped head-foremost down into

the great Tun of Heidleburgh, and with a

horrible oily gurgling, went clean out of sight” (331).

Chapter 81- The Jungfrau• Top of pg. 344 – Why is

this ship called the Jungfrau and what are the events that lead up to this action packed paragraph that begins, “But no sooner did his harpooneer stand up…”

• Final line of Chapter: “Oh, many are the Fin-Backs and many are the Dericks my friend.” What does Ishmael mean by this?

Chapter 87 – The Grand Armada

Pg. 371 and Pg, 375 are the key scenes in this chapter. Read these sections closely and explicate Melville’s purpose.