Chapter 55 Summary

Ishmael again departs from the main narrative to talk about whales. He discusses the graphic descriptions of the whale and states that to a whaleman who has actually seen a whale, all these descriptions are inaccurate. The only way one can know how a whale looks like is to have an encounter with one. However, that too will not render the complete picture as the whale cannot be seen completely, as most of its body will be submerged underwater. The only way it can be seen entirely is when it’s dead and Ishmael compares a dead whale to a wrecked ship.

Chapter 56 Summary

Ishmael continues his description in this chapter and states how the two best pictorial renditions of whales he has seen are works by the French. He describes these pictures in detail. However, he wonders why the French should do such a great job considering they are not whalers. He concludes that while American and English depictions are more mechanical, the French portrayals capture the spirit of the animal.

Chapter 57 Summary

Ishmael considers versions of whales crafted by whalers, including specimens carved in ivory, wood, and metal.

Chapter 58 Summary

The Pequod comes across large deposits of brit, which is a yellow substance upon which right whales are known to feed. As the ship hunts for sperm whales, the right whales are left alone. Ishmael ponders on the nature of fear and danger at sea and how it varies on land.

Chapter 59 Summary

The Pequod sails in the direction of Java. One morning, Daggoo thinks he has spotted Moby Dick, and the harpoon boats are lowered for the chase. However, it turns out to be a giant white squid, which is taken as a bad omen as few sailors have survived to describe their encounter with the white squid. This also indicates that a sperm whale is nearby as sperm whales feed on squids.

Chapter 60 Summary

The “whale-line,” which will shortly become important, is described in this chapter. It is a hemp rope that is attached to a harpoon at one end while the other end is left free to tie onto the harpoon boats. As it runs the length of the boat and jerks wildly when a whale is harpooned, the whale-line can become dangerous as sailors holding on to it can be flung into the water.

Chapter 61 Summary

A sperm whale is sighted soon as the presence of the giant squid suggested. Stubb and Tashtego succeed in killing it.

Chapter 62 Summary

Ishmael describes the harpooning process and argues that the method is faulty. The harpooner is in charge of rowing the boat and guiding it toward the whale and by the time he can throw the harpoon, he probably is exhausted which compromises his aim.

Chapter 63 Summary

Ishmael describes the “crotch,” a wooden structure shaped to hold a harpoon. He further talks about the danger of loose harpoons.

Chapter 64 Summary

The dead whale is towed to the Pequod by three harpoon boats. Ishmael notes that Ahab looks dejected, perhaps disappointed that the sperm whale is not Moby Dick. He also apprises the reader of how whalers don’t eat the meat of whales. However, Stubb orders a steak to be made from the dead whale to celebrate the killing. The carcass is tied alongside the Pequod where sharks feed on the dead whale. Stubb orders the cook Fleece to prepare the steak for him and tells him to stop the sharks from eating the whale. Fleece delivers a sermon to the sharks about not eating the whale and compares Stubb to a shark.

Chapter 65 Summary

Ishmael lets his readers know that the whale meat is not eaten by anybody apart from Eskimos and Stubb. Then he talks about the other kinds of meat that men have no compunction eating.

Chapters 55–65 Analysis

These chapters discuss the numerous descriptions of whales across cultures. He questions the accuracy of pictures and all representations in general. Can an object of art ever accurately capture the reality and spirit of the great animal? Perhaps in this argument also lies Ishmael’s critique of his own art of describing Moby Dick and the Pequod’s voyage. When he further notes that the whale cannot be completely described as what man sees is only a tiny portion and the rest of its body is submerged in the darkness of the ocean, this draws a parallel to the human perception too—what is described is only a superficial examination. The true nature of things is mostly hidden.

His descriptions of whale hunting equipment and technique are one among the many digressions in this novel. This, however, adds a realistic and precise feel to the whaling expedition and acts as a bulwark against the philosophical uncertainty that threatens Ishmael’s narrative. Consequently, the novel at times reads more like a documentary than a work of fiction.

The chapter on Fleece serves as comic relief, with his sermon to the sharks reminiscent of Father Mapple’s sermon in Chapter 9. Fleece addresses the sharks as “fellow-critters” and offers a few startling points about equality, social justice, and equal distribution of resources. This serves as a reminder of the undercurrent racism aboard the Pequod despite the supposed meritocratic order of the crew.