Moby Dick; Or, The Whale

Fate and the Windlass

Ahab turns away from Starbuck’s plea, comparing human life to a windlass, with Fate as the handspike. He questions what nameless, unearthly thing commands him against his own natural heart. He suggests that like celestial bodies moved by invisible power, he too may be moved by forces beyond his control.

Starbuck’s Departure

Starbuck, blanched to a corpse’s hue with despair, steals away from Ahab, unable to witness any longer.

Fedallah

Ahab crosses the deck and gazes over the other side, but starts at two reflected, fixed eyes in the water—Fedallah is motionlessly leaning over the same rail, having silently appeared.

CHAPITRE 133. The Chase—First Day.

During the mid-watch, Captain Ahab detects the distinctive odor of a living sperm whale and orders the ship’s course altered and sails shortened. At daybreak, a smooth, oil-like sleek is visible directly ahead.

Mid-Watch Whale Scent Detected, Course Altered

Ahab leaves his pivot-hole and sniffs the sea air like a ship’s dog approaching an isle. Convinced a whale is near, he inspects the compass and dog-vane, determines the bearing of the odor, and rapidly orders the course slightly altered and sails shortened.

Daybreak Reveals Whale Ahead, Lookouts Summoned

At daybreak, the sailors spot a long sleek on the sea directly ahead, smooth as oil with tide-rip markings. Ahab orders all hands to the mast-heads, and Daggoo rouses the sleepers with clubbed handspikes. The lookouts see nothing at first, so Ahab commands t’gallant sails and stunails, then ascends the main-mast.

Ahab Spots Moby Dick, Claims Doubloon Reward

While two-thirds aloft, Ahab sights a hump like a snow-hill and cries “There she blows! It is Moby Dick!” He demands the doubloon reward, declaring Fate reserved it for him alone. Tashtego claims he saw the whale at the same instant, but Ahab insists only he first raised the White Whale. The crew gathers in the rigging to behold the famous whale.

Chase Boats Launched, Pursue Moby Dick

Ahab commands the ship toward leeward and orders boats lowered. All boats except Starbuck’s are dropped, with boat-sails set and paddles flying. Fedallah’s eyes show a death-glimmer as the three boats shoot toward the whale, with Ahab leading the onset. The ocean grows strangely calm as they approach.

Moby Dick Surfaces, Displays Majestic Form

The White Whale reveals his high hump sparkling and jetting silent spouts. His vast bulk moves divinely, resembling Jupiter carrying Europa. The whale is surrounded by fleecy greenish foam, with fowl landing on a shattered lance projecting from his back. His serene beauty conceals deadly tornadoes within. The whale arches his body like Virginia’s Natural Bridge, waves his flukes, sounds, and disappears.

Moby Dick Dives, Then Resurfaces Aggressively

After an hour, white sea-fowls fly toward Ahab’s boat. Looking down, Ahab sees Moby Dick’s open mouth with crooked rows of white teeth rising from the depths. Ahab spins the boat aside, but Moby Dick obliquely thrusts his head beneath the boat, biting through every plank. His scrolled jaw rises high, nearly touching Ahab’s head as he shakes the boat like a cat with a mouse.

Moby Dick Destroys Ahab’s Boat

Moby Dick bites the boat completely in twain, locking his jaws midway between the two floating wrecks. The crew scrambles to the stern-wreck, clinging to gunwales and oars. Ahab attempts to push the boat from the bite but falls flat-faced into the sea as the jaws slip away.

Ahab Left Adrift After Boat Destruction

Moby Dick churns the water vengefully, seeming to madness himself against the wreck. Ahab, half-smothered in foam and unable to swim properly, drifts helplessly as the whale circles. Other boats dare not enter the eddy to rescue him, fearing instant destruction. The Pequod bears down from the mast-heads, parting the whale from his victim.

Pequod Rescues Ahab, Chase Resumes

Ahab shouts to the ship but is dashed under by a wave. The Pequod breaks through and rescues the castaways. Dragged into Stubb’s boat, Ahab recovers quickly, demands the harpoon, and confirms all five men are accounted for. The boats make for the ship, which takes up the chase with stun-sails spread like wings.