5C. Moby-Dick (1851), Chs. 12-14.

 

From Moby-Dick (1851) by Herman Melville

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1. Queequeg chose to leave his island to learn more about the Christian faith. However, he inevitably found that “…even Christians could be both miserable and wicked; infinitely more so than all his father’s heathens,” and even tells Ishmael that he feels that Christianity and Christians, themselves have made him too impure for his rightful throne back in Kokovoko. As a Christian, it saddens me that this is, in fact, what many people experience within the Church even today. Often people, especially individuals that do not fit the picturesque “Christian” image, like Queequeg, are not met with open and loving arms within the Church. However, this does not speak to who God really is and is only a reflection of our earthy and human wickedness.

2. In characterizing Queequeg [as “an old idolator at heart, he yet lived among these Christians, wore their clothes, and tried to talk their gibberish[...]”, Melville casts a charming light on both Queequeg and Ishmael, as Queequeg is not combative, but compliant, and Ishmael is not judgmental, but understanding. In further reading, Queequeg is further characterized as a heroic figure of sorts, when he dives after a ["]bumpkin["] who has fallen overboard—the very same bumpkin who mocked him shortly before; Queequeg practices humility—and cheekiness—ever-still, for after the mocking, and his subsequent retaliation, he turns to smoke his pipe, and after the rescue, he utters, “It’s a mutual, joint-stock world, in all meridians. We cannibals must help these Christians.”

3.  Ishmael also began to understand and speak the way Queequeg spoke as to translate for him. During an altercation between a bumpkin and Queequeg, Ishmael intervened to tell Queequeg what the Captain said.

4. In Chapter 13, when the boom came loose and wiped [out] the man [who] was mocking Queequeg overboard, it was Queequeg who showed the most “Christianly” attributes than any God-fearing man on that boat. Not only did Queequeg single-handily secure and save the boom, but he instantly leaped into the water to save the very man that mocked him and got him in trouble with the Captain. The man had sunk beneath the water, and I believe that no other man would have dove down to find and retrieve him as Queequeg did. I think that it is humorous that Ishmael infers that Queequeg is thinking “It’s a mutual, joint-stock world, in all meridians. We cannibals must help these Christians."  The idea of a “mutual, joint-stock word” reminds me of the Biblical notion that we are to help and love our neighbors. In this sense, Queequeg acts more Christianly than the declared “Christians” that he encounters. This seems to strengthen Ishmael’s admiration of Queequeg and make him feel even more comfortable and safe around Queequeg. Ishmael says “From that hour I clove to Queequeg like a barnacle; yea, till poor Queequeg took his last long dive.” which seems like a foreshadowing of Ishmael staying by Queequeg’s side until his death, which I assume will be Queequeg’s future in the novel. 

4. [Queequeg]truly does not care about how others interpret him[,but t]hat is not to say, he won’t defend himself. In chapter thirteen, a bumpkin was crudely mimicking Queequeg­. Queequeg handles the bumpkin with force and goes about his day, but the Captain, as well as others get agitated and threaten Queequeg. Shortly afterwards, the bumpkin falls overboard, and we see this [:] “Shooting himself perpendicularly from the water, Queequeg, now took an instant’s glance around him, and seeming to see just how matters were, dived down and disappeared. A few minutes more, and he rose again, one arm still striking out, and with the other dragging a lifeless form.” Queequeg could have easily left the bumpkin to die, but rather he put his own life at stake to save him. He didn’t care that the bumpkin made fun of him and caused him trouble; Queequeg only cared about saving his life.

5. In chapter 12, Queequeg shares his childhood with Ishmael, underlining his trust in Ishmael. Queequeg's story tells that "…in Queequeg's ambitious soul, lurked a strong desire to see something more of Christendom than a specimen whaler or two." Queequeg left his island to experience the world—Christendom and whaling. On the other hand, Ishmael takes to sea when he feels a "damp, drizzly November in [his] soul." Interestingly, Queequeg left to explore the world Ishmael is trying to escape, but their different motivations for sailing do not deter their kindling relationship. The beauty of the sea is that it both takes you from the world while simultaneously introducing you to the world.