NCHS AP English Language

Ch. 3 interpretation shimarah mehrotra and kelsey marsh

When Ishmael arrives at The Spouter Inn, he is told there is no vacancy and that he can stay but he will be rooming with a harpoonner that will not arrive until much later that night. Ishmael stays up very late waiting for the harpooner to arrive but when he does not, Ishmael doses off. Suddenly he is awoken by a lantern's glow from underneath the door, for it was Queequeg. Ismael is caught off guard by Queequegs unusual appearance. After learning of Queequeg's adventure that night of selling heads, Ismael trembled in deep fear. Melville's idea that "Ignorance is the parent of fear" is portrayed through Ismael's initial fear of the elusive Queequeg. However, at the end, his new found knowledge of Queequeg contributes to his reduced fear of "the infernal harpooner" , similar to a less overprotective parent.

posted by NCHS AP English Language III @ 1:55 PM