Several themes come up in the first ten chapters of Melville’s Moby-Dick. The narrator, Ishmael reveals a lot about his character. What seems to be a reoccurring theme is the significance of the sea. Ishmael and many of the other characters discuss almost everything in its relation to whaling. Even the chaplain of the chapel that Ishmael attends, Father Mapple was a sailor and harpooner before becoming a minister. The initial hymn that Father Mapple sings involves a whale.
New Bedford is a city of whalers and harpooners, many of whom have experienced encounters with a diversity of cultures and peoples. Ishmael, as one who is well-traveled seems to be more worldly and aware than others of his time. Though Ishmael still holds the stereotypes of the environment he came from, his growing friendship with Queequeg reveals that he is open to learning about what he initially considered a savage. Ishmael’s thoughts about Queequeg allow the reader to see his ability to admire someone he’s been indoctrinated to disdain. Ishmael is confused by his attraction to and curiosity of Queequeg. Within the few first chapters, Ishmael goes from being completely disgusted by an unknown cannibal of dark complexion to willingly participating in the religious ceremony of who he calls his “bosom friend.” Ishmael is a remarkable character that grabs the readers attention by his love of learning. He is an observer that lives in the moment. He is not bound by constraining principles including religious ones. Ishmael makes reference to a variety of beliefs including both Abrahamic and philosophical. Ishmael’s consciousness of his surroundings give insight to the type of person Melville was. Melville is similar to Ishmael in that they both spent a lot of time traveling by sea and encountered people that were very different from them. Both were exposed to different worlds. Melville’s exposure to a tribe of cannibals is reflected in Ishmael’s encounter with Queequeg. There are many parallels between Melville’s life and the journey Melville puts Ishmael on.
Another noticeable point about Moby-Dick is Melville’s writing style. Melville, through Ishmael, carries a humorous tone throughout the text. Ishmael describes funny situations as comical. He jokes about the strange things that he sees in New Bedford. Melville shows the differences in speech among the characters of the text. Ishmael, Queequeg, and the landlord all speak differently and are able to communicate and live together. This touches upon the idea of the characters of Moby-Dick’s tolerance towards those who are unfamiliar to them. It seems like Ishmael will be learning a lot on his journey as a character who is constantly seeking to discover the unknown.
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