Ishmael In Moby Dick

Although Moby Dick, a novel written by Herman Melville, consists of a world focused on men with seldom female characters making an appearance, the author is still able to incorporate feminine assets throughout the story. Captain Ahab, Captain Gardiner, and Ishmael display ladylike emotions or point of views on personal matters pertaining to himself. Captain Ahab obsesses on hunting down Moby Dick, not only for the loss of his leg but potentially the aspect of losing his manhood as well. Captain Gardiner, who commands the Rachel vessel, mourns and searches for his lost son trying to use an emotional appeal to seek help in his search. Ishmael’s relationship with Queequeg and passive role in the Pequod show prominent feminine qualities.

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Ishmael states several notions through the novel of his relationship with Queequeg, often comparing himself as the wife. Early in the novel Ishmael contemplates how he awakens with his friend, “Upon waking next morning about daylight, I found Queequeg's arm thrown over me in the most loving and affectionate manner. You had almost thought I had been his wife” (36). Already in the story Ishmael makes a speculation about how his friendship with Queequeg is a very close, intimate one in where he sees himself as the wife. Later on he describes their interaction in bed one night. “How it is I know not; but there is no place like a bed for confidential disclosures between friends. Man and wife, they say, there open the very bottom of their souls to each other; and some old couples often lie and chat over old times till nearly morning. Thus, then, in our hearts' honeymoon, lay I and Queequeg--a cosy [sic], loving pair (57)”. Ishmael displays an emotional perspective of opening up and connecting with Ishmael, drawing parallels between man and wife again. This discussion he shared with Queequeg sounds very dear to him and he reflects on it as if they were a couple sharing their innermost hearts to one another. Before the tender moment at night, in the day Ishmael mentions how when they were together Queequeg held him

The texture of the sperm hypnotized him into a free and blissful atmosphere, to where he even welcomed the mistake of squeezing his crewmate’s hand to a point he wanted the high feeling to be felt by him as well. Such a sentimental gesture he makes to try and reach out to this other shipmate in desiring to connect in an emotional level. He mentions how he wants men to not focus on their pride or high status of power and stepping down to a lower level to understand the tender heart of emotion of the simple beauty of the world. His way of thinking is much like a woman in desiring for an emotional connection, life, and delight of the simple things and not just the power or money earned. Not only does this chapter heavily depicts his emotional state, but also it is a reminder of his status on the ship. He is just a crewmate, doing the simple tasks similar to mending a mat (like a wife with a thread and needle) and cleaning throughout the novel, unlike the harpooners and three mates (Starbuck, Stubb, and Flask), who carry out laborious and hunting task in the ship. This reflects on how true men hold the higher strengths of tough labor and killing for a high pay, while Ishmael is on the other level, much like a woman’s in that day in age in society, of low pay and nurturing