Original Story：
The four whales slain that evening had died wide apart; one, far to windward; one less distant, to leeward; one ahead; one astern. These last three were brought alongside ere nightfall; but the windward one could not be reached till morning; and the boat that had killed it lay by its side all night; and that boat was Ahab’s.
The waif-pole was thrust upright into the dead whale’s spout-hole; and the lantern hanging from its top, cast a troubled flickering glare upon the black, glossy back, and far out upon the midnight waves, which gently chafed the whale’s broad flank, like soft surf upon a beach.
Ahab and all his boat’s crew seemed asleep but the Parsee; who crouching in the bow, sat watching the sharks, that spectrally played round the whale, and tapped the light cedar planks with their tails. A sound like the moaning in squadrons over Asphaltites of unforgiven ghosts of Gomorrah, ran shuddering through the air.
Started from his slumbers, Ahab, face to face, saw the Parsee; and hooped round by the gloom of the night they seemed the last men in a flooded world. “I have dreamed it again,” said he.
“Of the hearses? Have I not said, old man, that neither hearse nor coffin can be thine?”
“And who are hearsed that die on the sea?”
“But I said, old man, that ere thou couldst die on this voyage, two hearses must verily be seen by thee on the sea; the first not made by mortal hands; and the visible wood of the last one must be grown in America.”
“Aye, aye! a strange sight that, Parsee!- a hearse and its plumes floating over the ocean with the waves for the pall-bearers. Ha! Such a sight we shall not soon see.”
“Believe it or not, thou canst not die till it be seen, old man.”
“And what was that saying about thyself?”
“Though it come to the last, I shall still go before thee thy pilot.”
“And when thou art so gone before- if that ever befall- then ere I can follow, thou must still appear to me, to pilot me still?- Was it not so? Well, then, did I believe all ye say, oh my pilot! I have here two pledges that I shall yet slay Moby Dick and survive it.”
“Take another pledge, old man,” said the Parsee, as his eyes lighted up like fire-flies in the gloom- “Hemp only can kill thee.”
“The gallows, ye mean.- I am immortal then, on land and on sea,” cried Ahab, with a laugh of derision;- “Immortal on land and on sea!”
Both were silent again, as one man. The grey dawn came on, and the slumbering crew arose from the boat’s bottom, and ere noon the dead whale was brought to the ship.
Story Expansion and Analysis
Summary and Explanation
This passage describes a dramatic scene from a whale hunt where four whales have been killed, scattered across the sea. One whale, killed farthest to the windward side, remains close to Ahab’s boat throughout the night. The eerie atmosphere is enhanced by a lantern flickering on a pole stuck into the whale’s blowhole, casting light on the whale’s glossy back and the surrounding dark waves. Ahab, the obsessed captain, and his crew are mostly asleep except for the Parsee, a mysterious figure who watches the sharks circling the whale.
Ahab awakens and speaks with the Parsee, revealing his deep preoccupation with death, fate, and his relentless pursuit of the great white whale, Moby Dick. The Parsee speaks cryptic words about hearses (funeral carriages) on the sea, symbolizing death omens that must appear before Ahab can die. The Parsee also warns Ahab that only "hemp" (a reference to hanging) can kill him, implying Ahab’s seeming invincibility at sea and land. Despite this, Ahab laughs off the warning, confident he will kill Moby Dick and survive.
Literary and Thematic Analysis
This excerpt is rich in symbolism and foreshadowing. The four whales represent different fates and challenges, while the lantern’s flickering light symbolizes hope and uncertainty. The sharks circling the dead whale evoke a sense of danger and the inevitability of death. The conversation between Ahab and the Parsee explores themes of fate, mortality, and obsession.
Ahab’s defiance of death and his fixation on killing Moby Dick highlight his tragic flaw—his hubris and refusal to accept the natural limits of life. The Parsee’s cryptic warnings add an element of mysticism and fate, suggesting that Ahab’s destiny is intertwined with supernatural forces beyond his control.
Background and Author Introduction
This story is an excerpt from Moby-Dick, a classic novel written by Herman Melville in 1851. Melville was an American novelist, short story writer, and poet, known for his complex narratives and deep exploration of human nature. Moby-Dick is considered one of the greatest American novels and a masterpiece of world literature.
The novel was inspired by Melville’s own experiences at sea and the real-life whale ship Essex, which was sunk by a whale. Melville’s work blends adventure, philosophy, and symbolism, exploring themes like revenge, fate, and the struggle between man and nature.
Lessons and Knowledge for Children and Students
From this story, children and students can learn several important lessons and knowledge points:
- Courage and Determination: Ahab’s relentless pursuit of Moby Dick shows determination, though it also serves as a cautionary tale about obsession.
- Respect for Nature: The story highlights the power of nature and the sea, teaching respect for the natural world.
- Understanding Fate and Consequences: The dialogue about hearses and death introduces the idea that actions have consequences and that fate can be mysterious.
- Symbolism and Literary Devices: Students can learn how authors use symbols (like the lantern, sharks, and hearses) to convey deeper meanings.
- Vocabulary Building: Words such as windward, leeward, pall-bearers, and hemp enrich students’ vocabulary.
Practical Applications and Inspirations
- In Life: The story encourages children to face challenges bravely but also to recognize when persistence becomes harmful obsession.
- In Learning: It inspires curiosity about literature, symbolism, and history, encouraging students to explore classic texts.
- In Discussion: It opens conversations about mortality, destiny, and the human spirit, helping students develop critical thinking and empathy.
Reading Comprehension Exercises
1. Where were the four whales killed in relation to the boat?
A) All close together
B) Spread far apart
C) Only one was killed
D) Two were killed at the same place
Answer: B) Spread far apart
2. Who was awake while the others slept?
A) Ahab
B) The Parsee
C) The whole crew
D) No one
Answer: B) The Parsee
3. What did the lantern on the waif-pole do?
A) Scared away the sharks
B) Cast a flickering light on the whale and waves
C) Signaled other boats
D) Was used to catch fish
Answer: B) Cast a flickering light on the whale and waves
4. According to the Parsee, what can kill Ahab?
A) A whale
B) A storm
C) Hemp (hanging)
D) Poison
Answer: C) Hemp (hanging)
5. What is Ahab’s attitude towards death and his mission?
A) He fears death and wants to return home
B) He laughs at death and is determined to kill Moby Dick
C) He wants to give up the hunt
D) He is indifferent
Answer: B) He laughs at death and is determined to kill Moby Dick
This expanded explanation offers students a deeper understanding of the story’s meaning, background, and lessons, while providing useful vocabulary and critical thinking questions to enhance their reading skills.
