Chapter 1-7 Discussion Post

[peter_coffin]

Discuss here!

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

I love how Ishmael was all reluctant to get in bed with Queequeg and then when he woke up with Queequeg's arms around him "in the most loving and affectionate manner". Definitely shipping it!

I admit that I could do without the description of how savage Queequeg is, it's pretty uncomfortable, but I'm aware the book isn't that recent...

On the other hand, I love seeing stuff from Ishmael's point of view, for example the dandies, it's like hearing modern people talk about hipsters! :D

Random quotes I liked:

- And the women of New Bedford, they bloom like their own red roses. - Chapter 6
I literally bookmarked this line and added a note that said "Awww!" because that's unexpectedly sweet.

- Methinks we have hugely mistaken this matter of Life and Death. Methinks that what they call my shadow here on earth is my true substance. Methinks that in looking at things spiritual, we are too much like oysters observing the sun through the water, and thinking that thick water the thinnest of air. Methinks my body is but the lees of my better being. In fact take my body who will, take it I say, it is not me. And therefore three cheers for Nantucket; and come a stove boat and stove body when they will, for stave my soul, Jove himself cannot. - Chapter 7

All in all, I'm enjoying this book way more than I thought I would! I'm also reading it in my first language, if I'd read it in English I would've never got past the first chapter

PS: how do you pronounce Queequeg's name? I've been calling him quee-keg in my head but I have no clue if it's the correct way :P

[(Anonymous)]

I've been saying Kwee-kweg, but I don't know if that's right. A thing you might not know if you're ESL--because I only found out recently--the wrong name that Bilbad calls him, "Quohog" or "Quahog," is a delicious type of clam. And it's pronounced "ko-hog." /cool story bro

About Ishmael's descriptions of Queequeg--I'm far less bothered by that than (for example) the narrator's descriptions of Uncle Tom in Uncle Tom's Cabin, which are full of Words Nice People Don't Say Anymore. I find that narrator condescending and obnoxious. Now Ishmael keeps thinking these racist things that society has taught him--but Queegqueg's awesome is beyond Ishmael's powers to resist. Even when Ishmael is going "yuck, savages," he always ends up going "but Queequeg" and then deciding to go with the happy medium, namely, "yay Queequeg."

I have had a large glass of wine and cannot promise that this makes sense.