NCHS AP English Language

Numinous (Chris Fitzer)

Previously we reseached the following information and post this blog to the propt relating to the Numinous experience in Chapter 4:
"In this chapter, Ishmael expresses the feeling of a hovering phantom that covers him during a time of rest when his step-mother sent him away. This flashback describes a similar feeling to which he felt with Queequeg wrapping his arms around him in bed. In his childhood, his stepmother sent him to his room because of the trouble he was causing. It says he slept for sixteen hours. He awoke to the feeling that a spirit or phantom was embracing him. This was a numinous. The numinous is a spiritual or supernatural feeling that Rudolph Otto claims to be a non-rational mysterious meeting of the divine. This idea is commonly associated with the feeling of unworthiness, such as Ishmael felt. This feeling of uncleanliness is covered and pacified by the Numinous. It is a sensation of the revelation of grace. The flashback told by Ishmeal depicts a time when he felt unworthy and needed the phantom to hold and embrace him. This titillation of the Numinous comforted him in this time of doubt. Similarly, the embrace of Queequeg gave him a feeling like this soothing phantom. He also compares the encompassing hold of Queequeg to the warm embrace of a bridegroom to his wife. In the same sense a spouse uses a hug to comfort his or her significant other to releave them of this feeling of unworthiness and doubt.
The idea of Numinous is also compared to the feeling of fascination with the unknown. In his room as a child Ishmael became fascinated with this feeling caused by a Numinous. He is afraid that if he moves in bed he will lose this sensation, this nonphysical hand that lies upon his. Comparingly Ishmael is fascinated and interested in Queequeg and the differences between their cultures and ways of life. He is fine with the embrace of another man in bed because he feels that is is the same comforting hug of a Numinous."
THe following is new information: In Latin, the word "numen" directly translate as "divine power, supernatural influence" and is commonly associated with the anger of the divine [ira numinis] or the care of the divine [cara numinis]. But when this word is loosely translated or used in poetry, such as that of Ovid, the word "numen" can mean a nod or sign of agreement especially from a god, but not always.
In relation to this information and with the added knowledge of Ishmael's outsider archetype, it can be assumed that this Numinous experienced resulted from Ishmael's outcast nature and his need to be comforted, especially by society. It said that the embrace of Queequeg was similar to that of the phantom hand. In that sense Queequeg has the same comforting power as the Numinous and in any other instance where Ishmael might feel inatequate and scared, Queequeg should be able to comfort him just as the hand soothed him when he was sent to his room. In the context of the agreement version of the Numinous, it can be believed that either the Numinous is agreeing with the outsider and lost feelings of Ishmael or it is nodding in agreement as a comforting method to help soothe Ishmael. Either way, Ishmael's exile archetype is going to require further comforting, most likely from Queequeg, in any instance that Ishmael feels unworhty.

posted by NCHS AP English Language III @ 9:06 AM