NCHS AP English Language

Ahab and Pip's Relationship (Libby, Mary Elaine, and Brett)

The heirarchy of the ship is the heirarchy of life, especially of those who've made their life the Pequod. Ahab, a powerful yet insane captain, befriends Pip, a very lowely and common tambourine boy later on into the novel. At first, Ahab would never of even made contact with Pip unless Pip somehow got in his way of merely walking across the deck. Although, one characteristic begins their alikeness by how different they really are. Confusing? I'll sum it up. Just like Ahab, not only being the head of the Pequod, Pip is at the very bottom of the Pequod when talking about heirarchy. Both of their positions are known, understood, and unquestioned. Another, yet completely opposite similarity is the difference in skin color. Ahab, obviously white because he is at the top of the heirarchy (at this time) and Pip, who is obviously a black is at the bottom. I'm arguing that Ahab not only befriended Pip, but took him under his care. Ahab has realized that instead of recognizing himself at the top of the heirarchy, Moby Dick is his "god" and therefore realizes he is just like Pip. In one chapter, after being lost at sea, Pip goes "insane." He experiences somewhat of a same feeling as Ahab. Ahab began his "madness" by being at sea in the first place. Their obsessions however relevate upon each other. Ahabs obsession is Moby Dick, and now Pip's obsession is Ahab. Pip dresses like Ahab and one would think Ahab would scorn Pip for doing such, but laughs as if its comical and perhaps "precious?" Afterall "mimicking is the highest form of flattery." Another connotation is the relationship of a father and a son. Being at sea, not only drives Ahab mad by his neverending chase of Moby Dick, but also, perhaps, he misses his family back home. Pip gives Ahab a sense of comfort and a normal stabilization.

written by : Elizabeth Negron, Mary Elaine Gambill, and Brett Sandstrom

posted by Anonymous @ 8:21 AM