NCHS AP English Language

Vertical scheme of Pequods heirarchy- Mary Elaine and Brett added

classical and western medieval conception of the order of the universe, whose chief characteristic is a strict hierarchical system.
It is a conception of the world's structure that was accepted, and unquestioned, by most educated men
The purpose of the great chain of being was to assign a place for everything in the universe, classified into either:
holy
animal
vegetable
mineral
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_chain_of_being, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_chain_of_being#Diagram



Captain Ahab
Captain Bildad
Captain Peleg
Starbuck-First mate
Stubb-Second mate
Flask-Third Mate
Queequeg-First mates harpooner
Tashtego-Second mates harpooner
Daggoo-Third mates harpooner
Ishmael
Fadallah
Pip

The Pequod is a microcosm of the universe. The pequod was unquestioned and known by the distiction of function and who preformed the most "important" role in the crew. Although the harpooners were basically THE CREW, they were understood to be below the first, second, and thrid mate. The acrchetypal program equiped us for life, which is not always in tune with the life of contemporary society.

posted by Anonymous @ 2:04 PM