Moby-Dick; or, The Whale Moby Dick, or The Whale - Chapter 068-071
May 25, 2023
Dive into the fascinating world of whale anatomy, exploring the mysteries of blubber, skin, and the strange hieroglyphics etched on their bodies. Uncover the chilling process of beheading a massive sperm whale at sea and the superstitions that surround it. Witness Ahab's intense confrontation with the whale's head, a silent witness to countless ocean tragedies. Discover the eerie fanaticism of Gabriel aboard the Jeroboam and the dramatic tales of encounters with Moby Dick. The sea is full of surprises, and every chapter reveals more!
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Blubber As The Whale's True Skin
- The whale's blubber functions like an enormous skin, yielding vast quantities of oil and insulating against extreme cold.
- Its outer thin isinglass layer is distinct from the true leathery integument beneath and appears as a skin of the skin.
How Blubber Lets Whales Live In Ice
- Thick blubber and large body volume enable whales to maintain extreme warmth even in polar seas.
- Melville draws a philosophical parallel urging humans to 'remain warm among ice' and be independent of environment.
The Whale's Floating Funeral
- The beheaded whale floats away as sharks and sea-birds gorge on its carcass, creating a grotesque, noisy funeral.
- The corpse becomes a maritime ghost that later sailors misidentify as navigational hazard.
