Ahab's Speech
In chapter 132, Captain Ahab talks to Starbuck about his past, his current life situation, his fears, etc. He claims that he has ruined his wife’s marriage to him because he is literally almost never home. He pours his heart and soul to Starbuck, explaining things that people do not know about him, including his wife. He exposes a more human side to his personality, as opposing to the tyrannical Moby-Dick pursuing psycho. This speech mends the division between his contrasting sides of his personality (tyrant and human). At the beginning of the novel, Ahab was seen as crazy and demanding of his crew for making them find the white whale. Now, he seems like he feels guilt and shame and regret for making innocent people risk their lives for his selfish cause. Although this better side of him emerges, he still claims that he cannot control his yearning to KILL MOBY DICK. Making this speech to Starbuck could signify to the reader that Ahab is making amends or at least trying to give reasoning (excuses) for his actions. At the end of his speech and conversation with Starbuck, it almost seems like he is also trying to convince himself and rationalize to himself that killing Moby Dick is a good idea.
In conclusion, the purpose of Ahab’s speech to Starbuck is that the reader is made aware of Ahab’s human side. He lets down the façade of the “in charge tyrannical captain” and almost makes the reader feel sorry for him. The reader finally witnesses his breakdown, and empathizes with his crazed vocation.
Written by: Caroline Ward, Lisa Elizondo, Amy Coates
posted by Caroline Ward @ 10:14 AM
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