NCHS AP English Language

Ch. 3 allusions - Nathan Sheptock

"The Spouter-Inn" which Ismael stays in for the night seems to be depicted as a sinking ship itself, which is supported greatly by the "grimy," ominous painting of the impaled whale, along with the other aspect such as the numerous harpooning tools along the walls and the bar made form a whale jaw. The painting can be seen as an obvious warning sign of the fate which Ismael is soon to face on his own voyage; its visual obscurity along with the decaying state it's in seems to summarize, along with the whole atmosphere of the inn, the overwhelming mysteriousness of events yet to come. Another aspect, the discrepancy between obvious appearance and true reality, is portrayed in both the painting and also of Ishmael's impression of Queequeg, the "cannibalistic heathen." Just as the seemingly obscure painting could not be clarified without a lengthy inspection, Queequeg, first appearing as a pagan heathen, soon greatly astonishes Ishmael with his very kind mannerisms. These two examples can bee seen as another indication of events which may unfold along Ishmael's journey.

posted by NCHS AP English Language III @ 9:50 PM