Petrified Leviathans
In rocky, uneven regions where massive boulders lie scattered in fantastic groupings at the base of cliffs, Melville discovers images of petrified Leviathans. These natural rock formations, partly merged in grass, create the illusion of ancient whales embedded in the earth. On windy days, the grass breaks against these stone shapes like surf against a ship’s hull, completing the illusion of great creatures at rest. The landscape itself becomes a canvas upon which geological processes have painted whale-like forms, suggesting that the Leviathan’s presence pervades not only the ocean but the very substance of the earth itself.
Mountain Whale Profiles
In mountainous countries where the traveler remains constantly surrounded by amphitheatrical heights, fleeting glimpses of whale profiles occasionally emerge along undulating ridges from fortunate vantage points. Yet Melville cautions that one must be a thorough whaleman to perceive these sights. Moreover, if one wishes to return to such a view, one must precisely record the latitude and longitude of the observation point, for these mountain whale sightings are so chance-like that rediscovering the exact stand-point would otherwise require laborious effort. He compares this to the Solomon Islands, which despite being visited by Mendanna and chronicled by Figuera remain essentially unknown to modern geography—places glimpsed once and then lost to imprecise memory.
Starry Leviathans
Melville extends his survey to the heavens themselves, where expanded contemplation reveals great whales among the starry constellations, with boats in pursuit. He invokes the Eastern nations who, long filled with thoughts of war, perceived armies locked in battle among the clouds. The speaker confesses that he has personally chased Leviathan round and round the Pole, following the bright celestial points that first defined the whale to his perception. Beneath Antarctic skies, he has boarded the Argo-Navis and joined the chase against the starry Cetus, far beyond the furthest stretch of Hydrus and the Flying Fish. In a climactic flight of fancy, he wishes for frigate’s anchors as bridle-bitts and fasces of harpoons as spurs, longing to mount the whale and leap the topmost skies to see whether the fabled heavens with all their countless tents really lie encamped beyond mortal sight.
The original text of this work is in the public domain. This page focuses on a guided summary article, reading notes, selected quotes, and visual learning materials for educational purposes.