NCHS AP English Language

Ch 2 allusions (Chris Fitzer & Dani Lewis)

Ishmael considers that the "trap" inn where the black church service is held to be a hell of sorts. He ponders the ashes at the stoop as to whether they are from the destroyed city of Gomorrah. Gomorrah was a sinful city noted in the bible which was destroyed by fire from God. He raized this city because of its sins. The Black Parliament alludes to a group of black people in an organized form. They sit in Tophet which was a biblically referenced shrine where human sacrifices were performed especially those of children. It has now become a reference of hell. Ishmael uses this term to explain the hellish atmosphere of the service where the minister is considered an Angel of Doom fixated on the ideas of hell and damnation. Ishmael left theis inn and went to the "spouter-inn." This obviously represents the spout of a whale. As he waits outside a blustery wind blows by which he calls Euroclydon. Euroclydon refers to the zephyr that blew Paul of course and shipwrecked him during his ministry in the Mediterranean. In reference to the chilling weather, Ishmael alludes to the parable of Lazarus, but here instead of begging to Dives, Lazarus is freezing outside due to inclemint winds of Euroclydon. Dives on the otherhand enjoys the frosty air and spectates at the night sky. He accepts the cold because he is rich enough to have coal to burn to keep him warm. But unfortunately for Lazarus this spectacle of constelation and northern lights cannot warm him. Lazarus would much rather be in the hot weathered tropics of Indonesia and the equatorial regions; he would even goes as far to hell to get warm. Now Lazarus lays at the stoop of Dives, but Dives remains inside his bleak fortress like a emperor who lacks compassion for his people and only helps with the orphans crying unemotional tears. Ishmael uses this allusion to show how he feels in this maritime city. He compares himself to Lazarus, an outcast on the edge of this city. He remains cold and alone without any aid. Dives represents the wealthy and upperclass inns which he is unable to room in.

posted by NCHS AP English Language III @ 9:16 AM