August 25, 2019 - Chapter One Hundred Thirty-one


Melville is nothing if not subtle. In this short chapter, the Pequod encounters the Delight, which has had contact with Moby Dick. The Delight has lost five men but not killed the white whale, and it is now preparing to busy its lost men at sea. Ahab is looking upon the scene: “As Ahab now glided from the dejected Delight, the strange life-buoy hanging at the Pequod's stern came into conspicuous relief.” Lest we wonder whether that coffin at the side of the Pequod still symbolizes death, Melville gives us yet another example of foreshadowing to assure us that, with the end of the novel coming quickly, the coffin will surely be filled.

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