Parsee’s Hemp Prophecy
Ahab declared his two pledges: to kill Moby Dick and survive the attempt. The Parsee offered an additional pledge, his eyes glowing like fire-flies in the darkness, claiming that hemp alone could kill Ahab. When Ahab interpreted this as referring to the gallows, he declared himself immortal on both land and sea, laughing derisively. Both fell silent afterward.
Dawn Brings Dead Whale to Ship
Grey dawn arrived, and the sleeping crew rose from the boat’s bottom. By noon, the dead whale was successfully brought to the ship.
第一百十八章 The Quadrant.
This chapter depicts Ahab’s final solar observation and his dramatic rejection of scientific navigation instruments, revealing his obsessive pursuit of Moby Dick above all rational seamanship.
Equator Voyage Preparation
As the season for the Line approaches, the crew grows increasingly impatient. Each day when Ahab emerges from his cabin, the helmsman ostentatiously handles the spokes while mariners gather at the braces, their eyes fixed on the nailed doubloon. They await the order to sail toward the equator. At last the command arrives.
Ahab’s Solar Quadrant Sighting
It is high noon as Ahab settles into the bow of his high-hoisted boat to take his customary daily observation of the sun. In the luminous Japanese sea, where summer days blaze with concentrated light and the horizon appears to float, the sun burns with insufferable brilliance. Ahab uses colored glasses on his quadrant to sight the solar fire. He remains motionless, astride the rolling ship, his astrological instrument pressed to his eye, waiting for the precise moment of meridian passage. Below him, the Parsee kneels on deck, gazing at the same sun with half-hooded eyes, his wild face subdued to earthly passionlessness.
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.