Response Journal Week 10-Amani

I enjoyed reading the chapters for this week because they were about Ahab (finally!). Ahab was a prominent character in these chapters. The depth of his insanity, his monomania is revealed. Ahab's obsession with the whale has led to the deterioration of the Pequod and has escalated the crew's frustration with him. Although Ahab has been warned about the consequences of chasing the White Whale, he ignores his fate and assumes it will be postponed. It's interesting that he accepts that he will die soon, but he believes that he will die after his battle with Moby-Dick.
One of the warnings Ahab receives is the storm. Ahab isn’t frightened by it. He says in “The Candles,” “blow out your last fear.” He says that the storm brings them together. Seeing Ahab’s harpoon flickering with fire, Starbuck concluded that God opposes Ahab. Starbuck as well as others on the crew are losing patience with Ahab. Starbuck even debates with himself about whether he should kill Ahab. He is angry about how selfish Ahab is being and with all the reckless decisions he’s made at the expense of the crew.
In “The Log and Line,” Ahab fails. He realizes that he doesn’t have any of his navigational devices. Ahab seeks Pip for help. However, Pip responds with nonsense. Ahab states that Pip can have his cabin because the Pip touches his “inmost center.” Ahab can relate to Pip because they are both crazy. Their insanity is a result of their past struggle’s with the sea and the whale’s that are within it.