Moby Dick, or the Whale by Herman Melville (1819 - 1891) Chapter 089-091
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Jan 1, 1970 Discover the quirky rules of whale fishing, where 'fast fish' and 'loose fish' define ownership in a legal chase. Dive into the satirical clash between fishermen and aristocrats over whale claims, revealing hilarious class divides. Explore the symbolism of whales as royal property, intertwined with the comical struggles of sailors. The intriguing quest for ambergris highlights the strange value found in the whaling world, blending morality and commerce in a captivating narrative.
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The Two Grand Whaling Laws
- Whaling law boils down to two terse rules: a fast fish belongs to whoever is fast to it, and a loose fish is fair game for any taker.
- That legal brevity forces a huge body of commentary and practical enforcement aboard ship.
Court Case About Abandoned Whale
- An English court case decided that abandoned boats returned to their owners but whales and attached gear taken later belonged to the captors.
- Lord Ellenborough's ruling used a humorous analogy comparing a re-taken whale to a man reclaiming an abandoned wife.
Possession As The Root Of Law
- Melville draws a broad moral: possession often equals law, making 'fast fish' and 'loose fish' metaphors for power and property.
- He applies the doctrine to slavery, land grabs, and international conquest to critique possession-based justice.
