Ishmael’s Views on Religious Tolerance and Queequeg’s Ramadan Observance
Ishmael reflects that good Presbyterian Christians should be charitable in these things and not fancy themselves so vastly superior to other mortals, pagans and what not, because of their half-crazy conceits on these subjects. While Queequeg entertained the most absurd notions about Yojo and his Ramadan, Ishmael believes Queequeg thought he knew what he was about and seemed content, so he should be left to rest. He concludes that all are somehow dreadfully cracked about the head and sadly need mending.
Discovery of Queequeg’s Unresponsive Ramadan State
Towards evening, Ishmael went up to Queequeg’s room and knocked at the door, but there was no answer. The door was fastened inside, and despite calling softly through the key-hole, all remained silent. Alarmed and thinking Queequeg might have had an apoplectic fit, Ishmael ran to alert the chamber-maid, who revealed the door had been locked since morning with no sound heard. Mrs. Hussey soon appeared with her mustard-pot and vinegar-cruet, and together they discovered Queequeg’s harpoon was missing from its closet. The landlady cried that he had killed himself. When Ishmael tried to force the door open, Mrs. Hussey stopped him from breaking down her premises until producing a key from her pocket, but Queequeg’s supplemental bolt remained unwithdrawn within. Ishmael then took a running start and burst the door open with a prodigious noise.
Ishmael’s Attempt to Persuade Queequeg to End His Ramadan
To Ishmael’s astonishment, Queequeg sat altogether cool and self-collected, right in the middle of the room, squatting on his hams and holding Yojo on top of his head, like a carved image with scarce a sign of active life. Despite all Ishmael and the landlady said, not a word could they drag out of him. Ishmael wondered if this could possibly be part of his Ramadan, and after supper and listening to sailors’ stories till nearly eleven o’clock, he returned to find Queequeg still motionless. Vexed at the seemingly senseless behavior, Ishmael threw his bearskin jacket over Queequeg for the cold night. Unable to sleep thinking of Queequeg sitting stark awake on his hams, Ishmael dropped off at last and knew nothing until break of day. At the first glimpse of sun, Queequeg arose with stiff and grating joints but with a cheerful look, pressed his forehead against Ishmael’s, and said his Ramadan was over.
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