Moby-Dick · Chapter
The Decanter explained
Ishmael recounts the history of whaling hospitality, tracing its origins from the Dutch to the English.
What happens
Ishmael recounts the history of whaling hospitality, tracing its origins from the Dutch to the English. He details the lavish provisions of Dutch whalers from an old account, humorously speculating on their effects. The chapter then praises the English whaling house of Enderby & Sons for pioneering global sperm whale fisheries, culminating in a vivid, personal memory of a raucous and hospitable gam aboard the Samuel Enderby.
Themes in this chapter
Friendship and Human Bonding
Exemplified through the theme of 'good cheer' and hospitality in whaling, culminating in Ishmael's fond, detailed memory of the convivial gam aboard the Samuel Enderby.
Interpretation and Perception
Ishmael's comical interpretation of Dutch whalers' 'unctuous natures' and his initial misinterpretation of the Dutch book's title highlight the subjective, often humorous, lens through which he filters historical research.
Characters to notice
- Ishmael
Narrates the chapter, shares his historical research on whaling provisions, and recounts his personal experience of hospitality aboard the Samuel Enderby.
- Captain Ahab
Mentioned in passing as having once 'touched her planks with his ivory heel,' connecting the Samuel Enderby to the Pequod's doomed captain.
- Captain Coffin
Identified as the Nantucketer who commanded the Syren on its pioneering cruise to the Japanese whaling grounds for the Enderbys.
- Dr. Snodhead
A learned friend of Ishmael's who translates the ancient Dutch book 'Dan Coopman,' correcting Ishmael's assumption about its title.
Key passages
“The abounding good cheer of these English whalers is matter for historical research.”
The legendary hospitality on English whaling ships has a traceable history.
Sets up the chapter's central inquiry into the origins of whaling hospitality.
“All honor to the Enderbies, therefore, whose house, I think, exists to the present day; though doubtless the original Samuel must long ago have slipped his cable for the great South Sea of the other world.”
We should honor the Enderby family, whose business likely still exists, though the founder has long since died.
Shows Ishmael's respect for whaling history and his characteristic metaphorical flourish for death.
“And that fine gam I had—long, very long after old Ahab touched her planks with his ivory heel—it minds me of the noble, solid, Saxon hospitality of that ship...”
That excellent social visit I enjoyed, long after Ahab was on that ship, reminds me of its truly hearty and generous hospitality...
Connects a personal, joyful memory to the broader theme and eerily links it to Ahab's past.