Response Journal 5-Amani

One thread I noticed in the reading for this week was Ishmael’s depiction of the inaccessibility of the White Whale. In Chapter 55, Ishmael claims that in order actually know what a creature looks like, you must encounter it. However, he points out that most of whale’s body is under water, and if someone were to go under water to where the whale is, they would probably die. In Chapters 56 and 57, Ishmael attempts to find acceptable depictions of whales. He thinks of two found in France. He contemplates why France has the best depictions of whales, though they aren’t a whaling nation. So is there depiction really accurate? It seems difficult to understand the White Whale, or more specifically Moby-Dick. This adds to the theme of seeking the unknown.
In Harrison Hayford’s “ ‘Loomings’: Yarns and Figures in the Fabric,” he discusses this theme. He analyzes Moby-Dick with a focus on the first chapter “Loomings” which he says, “carry a few strands of thought (themes)” that reoccur throughout the book. Hayford discusses the confusion the reader faces in distinguishing the narrator: Ishmael or Melville himself. He says that it's important to look at the book as though Ishmael is narrating all throughout. “In this perspective, the action of the work takes place in the observing and participating mind of Ishmael” (657). He points out that the book begins with the statement, “Call me Ishmael,” so we should. It was interesting to look at Loomings after reading more the of the book. It seemed like a much more significant chapter. This chapter definitely contains significant themes that help us to understand Ishmael, as a character. Ishmael is an observer that allows us to see whats going on. He allows us to see Ahab; Melville is unable to do so. Hayford draws upon the similarties and differences between Ishmael and Ahab. He explains that “both of them turn every object, situation, and person they confront into a problem, one which cannot be solved, a mystery whose lurking meaning cannot be followed to its ultimated elucidation.” (659) The distinction between the two men is what they do with the problem they created. Ishmael goes on this trip, seeking the unknown, to get away from violence and destruction. Ahab's reason for going on this voyage is to destroy; to kill both Moby-Dick. Hayford also discusses fate and Ahab's predestined self-destruction.
Two other criticisms I read were “The Strangest, Wildest, and Saddest Story” by Louis Beck and “I Wish I Had Written That” by William Faukner. Both admired Melville's work. Beck said that Moby-Dick served as a way for him and his crew to bond. If real seaman praise Melville for his work, then maybe Melville's voyaging descriptions aren't as inaccurate as we may think. Faulkner described the book as “Greek-like,” depicting Ahab as a tragic hero. Faulkner says that the White Whale is a “symbol of their doom.” (640) The point of his text is exactly the title: he wish he could have written Moby-Dick.