June 16, 2019 - Chapters Twenty-nine, Thirty, and Thirty-one


Today’s selection of three short chapters raises three observations/questions.

First, there is the matter of location. Ishmael says they’ve been out to sea “some days,” and that the Pequod is sailing through the “bright Quito spring.” This location is something of a mystery. The geographic name Quito is best known as the capital of Ecuador in South America, but it seems unlikely that they could have sailed that far at this writing, and they certainly haven’t yet gone around Cape Horn.

Second is Flask’s addition to the Ten Commandments, which seem as good as any offered by Christopher Hitchens: #11 “Think not”; and #12 “Sleep when you can.

Third and finally is the title of Chapter 31, “Queen Mab.” The reference is to Romeo and Juliet, Act I, Scene iv, Lines 50 or so and following, which can be read here. This queen is a sort of patron saint or spirit of dreamers.

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