NCHS AP English Language

Hannah Robinson - #4 Quotes chpt 36

1. "Nantucket market! Hoot! But come closer, Starbuck; tho requirest a little lower layer. If money's to be the measurer, man, and the accountants have computed their great counting-house the globe, buy girdling it with guineas, one to every three parts of an inch; then let me tell thee, that my vengeance will fetch a great premium here!" (pg 203)
Within this quote Ahab is addressing the statement that Starbuck made about how chasing after Moby Dick the whole voyage would not bring in any profit. Ahab states however that the benefit from getting vengeance on Moby Dick will bring about “a great premium”; better then any voyage collected oil from many whales.

2. “All visible objects, man, are but pasteboard masks. But in each event-in the living act, the undoubted deed-there, some unknown but still reasoning thing puts forth the moulding of its features from behind the unreasoning mask. If man will strike, strike through the mask!”(pg 203)
This quote portrays the idea that each man lives behind a mask. This mask composes a different outlook on life for every person. The mask, however, restrains many from experiencing all the world has to give and show. Ahab is saying that if one just strikes through the mask, he will be able to reason much more philosophical and be able to enhance life. Once Ahab gets revenge on “the white whale” his wall will have been broken.

3. “I meant not to incense thee. Let it go. Look! See yonder Turkish cheeks of spotted tawn-living, breathing pictures painted by the sun. The leopards-the unrecking and unworshiping things, that live; and seek, and give no reasons for the torrid life they feel! The crew, man, the crew! Are they not one and all with Ahab in this matter of the whale? See Stubb! He laughs! See yonder Chilian! He snorts to think of it. Stand up amid the general hurricane, thy one tost sapling cannot Starbuck! (pg. 204)
Ahab has realized that the crew has joined him in his quest for vengeance with Moby Dick. He is realizing however that Starbuck is not really on board with the whole plan. Ahab attempts to show Starbuck how others are laughing, like Stubb; Ahab believes that Starbuck needs to relax. Ahab recognizes that Starbuck is not going to settle down so he uses the analogy of a hurricane; one “tost sapling” (Starbuck) cannot stand up against a hurricane (the crew and Ahab).

4. “Down lances! And now, ye mates, I do appoint ye three cup-bearers to my three kinsmen there- yon three most honorable gentlemen and noblemen, my valiant harpooners.”(pg. 205)
This particular quote is a segment from the oath. Ahab makes a oath with his harpooners about the vengeance on Moby Dick. Ahab believes “his harpooners” to be the most glorious and admirable men on the Pequod.

Hannah Robinson

posted by NCHS AP English Language III @ 2:27 PM