NCHS AP English Language

Question 3- Shimarah Mehrotra & Kelsey Marsh

3. Rework your notes & research on the numinous into a coherent argument that demonstrates how Ishmael was touched by the numinous & what the implications of this might be.

The numinous is a spiritual or mysterious presence, which Ishmael experienced when he was a young boy and he was sent to his room to sleep in his bed for sixteen hours. While he was sleeping, a "supernatural hand coming from a silent form or phantom" was placed in his own. When a person reaches out to hold someone's hand, it is an implication that the person wants to help guide and befriend the other person. The numinous hand was an intangible and mysterious guide and friend. When Ishmael awakes, he finds that the "sensations at feeling to supernatural hand in mine were very similar, in their strangeness, to those which I experienced on waking up and seeing Queequeg's pagan arm thrown round me" and embracing him. Queequeg too is a mysterious and unexpected friend who helps guide Ishmael.

posted by NCHS AP English Language III @ 8:55 AM