NCHS AP English Language

Wrapping It All Up (2). . .By Rebecca Hall, Alex Wikoff and Corinne McConnell

Wrapping Up Moby Dick

2) Discuss the relationship between Pip and Ahab. Interpret, don't just summarize.

It is important to note that Pip was at the bottom of the Great Chain of Being whereas Ahab was at the top until Pip's unfortunate tumble overboard.

Henceforth, Pip is driven insane. Perhaps his brush with the numinous was simply too much for him to bear, but regardless the important thing to note is that Ahab begins to see himself reflected in the boy.

"And who art thou, boy? I see not my reflection in the vacant pupils of thy eyes. Oh God! that man should be a thing for immortal souls to sieve through!" (Pg. 489)

This is similar to when Ahab awakes from nightmares earlier in the book.

In Pip Ahab sees himself which is quite frightening. Pip is insane due to his brush with the numinous and perhaps Ahab is that way due to the injury inflicted by Moby Dick (the numinous).

We must not assume that Ahab cares about Pip as a person, indeed, Ahab's sudden embrace of Pip is merely because of his recognition of his own reflection in the boy reinforcing the common theme of Ahab's self-gratification as well as his madness. Pip, being Ahab, is suddenly at the top of the Great Chain of Being, even sleeping by Ahab's side.

-Brought to you by Rebecca Hall, Alex Wikoff, and Corinne McConnell

This website is amazing:

http://everything2.com/index.pl?node=Moby%20Dick

posted by Rebecca @ 4:48 PM