Moby Dick; Or, The Whale

Burst of Forecastle Revelry

A sudden burst of revelry from the forecastle interrupts Starbuck’s dark meditation, shocking him back to the present moment with its jarring contrast to his somber reflections.

Starbuck Laments Crew’s White Whale Idolatry

Starbuck curses the “heathen crew” sailing with him, whom he sees as barely human, “whelped somewhere by the sharkish sea.” He denounces them for treating the white whale as their “demigorgon”—a god-like object of worship that has captured their devotion.

Contrast of Bow’s Gaiety and Ahab’s Brooding

Starbuck observes the stark contrast between the forward bow, where the gay and bantering sailors shoot through the sparkling sea in joyful abandon, and the sternward cabin where Ahab broods alone over the dead water of the ship’s wake, hunted by its ominous gurglings. He perceives this contrast as a reflection of life itself.

Starbuck Urges Setting the Watch

Distressed by the wild revelry forward while silence reigns aft, Starbuck calls out for peace and demands that the watch be set, seeking to restore order to the ship.

Starbuck Confronts Life’s Latent Horror

In this desperate hour, Starbuck confronts the “latent horror” within life itself, feeling his soul beaten down and held captive to knowledge, like untutored wild creatures forced to feed. Yet he asserts that this horror lies outside himself now.

Starbuck Appeals for Blessed Influences’ Support

Despite bearing the soft feeling of humanity within him, Starbuck resolves to fight against the “grim, phantom futures” ahead. He appeals to “blessed influences” to stand by him, hold him, and bind him as he prepares for the confrontation to come.

KAPITEL 39. First Night-Watch.

This chapter centers on Stubb’s first night watch, taking place on the ship’s fore-top, where he mends a brace, muses on laughter and predestination, notes Starbuck’s troubled state, daydreams playfully of his wife at home, sings a nautical toast verse, and responds to Starbuck’s call.

Stubb Alone in the Fore-Top Mending a Brace

Stubb is alone on the fore-top during his night watch, occupied with mending a ship’s brace as the opening scene of his shift.

Stubb’s Reflections on Laughter and Predestination

Stubb reflects that laughter is the wisest, easiest answer to all strange or difficult circumstances, and finds comfort in the belief that all events are predestinated. He notes he did not hear all of Starbuck’s recent conversation, but observed Starbuck looked troubled in a way that mirrored Stubb’s own mood from the prior evening, and believes Starbuck has been affected by the “old Mogul”. He declares he will face whatever comes next with laughter, and feels a whimsical, lighthearted mood coming on.

Stubb’s Observations of Starbuck’s Troubled State

Stubb observes that Starbuck appeared deeply troubled, and recognizes the same troubled expression Stubb himself had displayed just days prior. He is certain Starbuck has been marked by the same unknown force that affected him, and believes he could have predicted Starbuck’s state had he chosen to, as he saw signs of it in Starbuck’s skull.

Stubb’s Whimsical Thoughts on His Home Wife

Stubb’s thoughts turn whimsically to his wife waiting for him at home. He jokes that she may be crying her eyes out in worry, or more likely hosting a raucous party for newly arrived harpooneers, as carefree as a frigate’s pennant, much like his own current lighthearted mood.

Stubb Sings a Nautical Toast Verse

Stubb breaks into song, singing a nautical toast verse that celebrates drinking with light hearts that night, and loving as gaily and fleetingly as bubbles that form on the rim of a drinking vessel and pop as soon as they touch the lips.

Stubb Responds to Mr. Starbuck’s Call

When Stubb hears Mr. Starbuck call for him, he responds immediately, acknowledging Starbuck as his superior and noting that Starbuck is dealing with his own troubles if Stubb’s observations are correct. He tells Starbuck he is just finishing his current task mending the brace and is on his way.