Moby Dick; Or, The Whale

The Golden Coin’s Origin

The Ecuadorian doubloon originated from the heart of gorgeous South American hills, near the head-waters of Pactolus-like rivers flowing over golden sands. Cast midway up the Andes in an eternal spring climate, the coin preserves its Quito glow despite surrounding rust and verdigris. The chapter notes that South American gold coins serve as medals of the sun and tropic tokens. The doubloon’s round border bears the inscription REPUBLICA DEL ECUADOR: QUITO, identifying its equatorial origin. Its imagery includes palms, alpacas, volcanoes, sun’s disks, stars, ecliptics, horns-of plenty, and rich banners—designs the narrative describes as “Spanishly poetic.”

Ahab’s Egotistical Vision

Ahab interprets the doubloon’s imagery entirely through the lens of his own ego. He declares that mountain-tops and towers possess something ever egotistical. He identifies the three peaks as “as proud as Lucifer,” and announces that the firm tower is Ahab, the volcano is Ahab, and the courageous fowl is also Ahab. He proclaims the round gold mirrors the rounder globe and reflects each man’s mysterious self. Observing the sun entering the sign of storms at the equinox, Ahab declares his deterministic philosophy: “Born in throes, ’tis fit that man should live in pains and die in pangs!”

Starbuck’s Religious Meditation

Starbuck, leaning against the bulwarks, murmurs to himself that “fairy fingers” could not have pressed this gold—only “devil’s claws” could have left such mouldings. Comparing Ahab to Belshazzar reading the writing on the wall, Starbuck examines the coin for himself. He perceives a dark valley between three heaven-abiding peaks, symbolizing the Trinity, and describes the scene as a vale of Death where God girds humanity round. He finds hope in the sun of Righteousness shining above, but acknowledges the great sun is no fixture and cannot be found at midnight. Starbuck finds the coin speaks “wisely, mildly, truly, but still sadly” and decides to quit it.