Chapters 32–33 Summary

Chapter 32, titled “Cetology,” is a discourse on the science of whales. In this and subsequent science-centered chapters in the book, Ishmael attempts to classify whales scientifically. Instead of using the Linnaean classifications of family, genus, and species—the standard during Melville’s time—he classifies whales into different “chapters” of three distinct “books”—the Folio, Octavo, and Duodecimo. He then discusses the changing role of the “specksynder” (the Dutch word for “fat-cutter”), who used to be the chief harpooner and captain. Over time, this role has now shifted to the chief harpooner, whose position, though important, is still subordinate to the captain. Ishmael comments on the leadership styles onboard and notes the dependence of whalers upon one another for successful hunting. Thus, a whaling ship is more egalitarian than other ships.

Chapters 34–35 Summary

Ishmael describes dinner on the Pequod in Chapter 34. The officers eat in silence because of Ahab’s cold and “inaccessible” manner. When the table is laid again for the harpooners, they eat merrily, intimidating the cook with their voraciousness.

Ishmael describes his post on the masthead in Chapter 35, where he is supposed to be on the lookout for whales. He laments the lack of comfort in this position and admits to day-dreaming too much and warns captains of hiring “romantic, melancholy, and absent-minded young men,” who are likely to miss the whales in the water.

Chapter 36 Summary

Ahab addresses the whole crew. Brandishing a Spanish doubloon (which amounts to an ounce of gold), he declares that he would give this away as a prize to the man who kills a particular “white-headed whale with a wrinkled brow and a crooked jaw.” Starbuck asks Ahab directly whether he intends to kill Moby Dick. Ahab confirms and states that he is seeking vengeance on the whale. Starbuck argues saying that he is on the job to hunt for whales, and considers it madness to seek vengeance on a brute animal who worked on his instinct. The rest of the crew cheer Ahab for they wish to win the prize. Ahab commences a ritual to bind the crew together, ordering the men to drink from one flagon and pass that around. He then asks the harpooners to cross their lances before him. Ahab grasps the weapons and anoints Queequeg, Tashtego, and Daggoo, declaring them as his “three pagan kinsmen” who are his “most honorable gentlemen and noble men.” The crew cheer and drink lustily, bound in one common purpose, and Ahab proclaims, “God hunt us all, if we do not hunt Moby Dick to his death!”

Chapter 37 Summary

This is a monologue from Ahab’s perspective. Ahab mulls that the crew considers him mad, which he admits to partially. He calls himself “demoniac” and “madness maddened” and reveals a prophecy where he was told about the loss of his leg. He now issues his own prophecy, declaring that he will “dismember his dismemberer.” Ahab is resolved to be both “the prophet and the fulfiller” of vengeance on the whale, whatever the cost might be.

Chapter 38 Summary

This is another monologue but from Starbuck’s perspective. Starbucks think it is wrong to seek vengeance on the whale but feels that his soul is outmatched by a “madman.” However, he is now inextricably linked to Ahab’s fate and prays that God may intervene in Ahab’s “heaven-insulting purpose” and keep Moby Dick hidden. He hears a shout of revelry from the drunken men outside and is horrified to realize that he is sailing with “a heathen crew.” He prays for the strength and laments the whole doomed voyage.

Chapter 39 Summary

This is Stubb’s monologue, which provides another perspective to the Pequod’s voyage. He too thinks that his fate is intertwined with Ahab’s but concludes the strangeness as “predestinated” and sings off his cares.

Chapter 40 Summary

This chapter is scripted like a scene from a play. The crew members are reveling, singing, and drinking together. A Spanish sailor ridicules Daggoo, and a fight breaks out. The approach of a storm, however, stops the fight, and the crew goes about tending the ship. Pip asks the “big white God” (possibly God or Ahab) to “have mercy on this small black boy.”

Chapters 32–40 Analysis

These chapters employ various literary forms to describe the Pequod’s voyage. For example, chapters 32 and 33 inform the reader about the whaling industry, the study of cetology, and the scientific classification of whales. Ishmael further discusses hierarchy and designation—in the examples of specksynder, the description in the dining room where tables are laid out separately for the officers and harpooners, and the chapter on the masthead—all of which, though digressions, allow a deeper understanding of the whaling industry.

Melville writes monologues from the perspectives of other characters, allowing the reader a peek into their minds for greater identification and empathy. At this stage, Ahab is positioned firmly as the other principal character. For Ahab, the defeat of Moby Dick will represent a personal redemption, through which he can attain peace. Claiming that Moby Dick is “chiefly what I hate” gives the whale greater significance for Ahab, who finds that the whale represents all of the mysteries of his life. This creates an interesting juxtaposition—the search for Moby Dick is both an external conflict between Ahab and the whale as well as an internal conflict within him for a sense of peace and closure. His monologue also demonstrates his self-awareness concerning his madness. When he addresses his crew and performs the ritual, it shows a captain in complete charge, unifying his men in a common goal, a purpose which perhaps is even holy.

Starting with Chapter 36, the chapters in this section use stage directions and other devices borrowed from plays to heighten the dramatic tension and the eventual confrontation between man and nature. Conflicts emerge, a storm approaches, and the monologues expose doubt and fear. The chapters echo Shakespeare, both in their general style and in specific allusions to his plays.