Response Journal 11 - Mayumi

One of the major themes in the last section of the book (that has also been present throughout the course of the novel) is the capacity or limitations of human ability. Ahab and contemplates how much of his own actions and fate is determined by divinity rather than his own mortal thoughts and actions. Ahab especially wonders how much of his identity is his own. Melville writes: “Is Ahab, Ahab? Is it I, God, or who, that lifts this arm? But if the great sun move not of himself…how then can this one heart beat; this one small brain think thoughts; unless God does that beating, does that thinking, does that living, and not I” (406-407). For Ahab, this quote reflects his critical observations on his two states of being, his monomania state and his rational state, as he tries to uncover why it is he acts the way he does. Ahab’s sense of self is put to the test by Moby Dick, the source of his monomania, who is representative of Ahab’s divine fears.
This quote takes place in “The Symphony,” the last chapter before the violent, man-driven three part chase, in a natural setting which is serene and beautiful. Ahab anticipates this change from serenity to violence and this quote is also his reflection on why he must go against nature and pursue his deadly fate. This is also the one chapter where we see Ahab show regret, in the form of these thoughts about the limitations of humans and the one tear drop that falls into the ocean.
Ahab’s second major quote about human capability is at the beginning of Chapter 35. Ahab says: “…but Ahab never thinks; he only feels, feels, feels; that’s tingling enough for mortal man! To think’s audacity. God only has that right and privelege” (419). Again, Ahab feels subject to the plans and thoughts of God and assumes that he has no control over his fate or emotional state of being. It’s interesting that Ahab said God was the only one capable of thought, since the whale who represents divine power, is clever, but does not possess the power of thought. In addition, the narrator of the book, Ishmael, is overflowing with thoughts (the book is proof enough of this). Ishmael is also the only person who miraculously escapes from the fate of the rest of the Pequod’s crew. Does this mean that Ishmael is God? Maybe it is more that he is god-like, in that his survival is similar to immortality and his other qualities as a narrator are godlike. Ishmael takes the position of authority on all issues concerning boats and whales (Cetology) shows, and his position as the omniscient narrator removes himself as a character from most of the book and allows him to tell the every thought and action of all the others aboard the Pequod.
*This idea of Ishmael as God (or god-like) is interesting to think about in contrast to Hayford’s essay “Loomings” in which he explains Ishmael’s love of roles of inferiority (or avoidance of authoritative roles).