# III: The Spouter-Inn explained — Moby-Dick

> Chapter companion for Moby-Dick by Herman Melville.

## What happens

Ishmael arrives at the Spouter-Inn in New Bedford, a strange whalers' tavern filled with ominous art and whaling relics. Finding no bed available, he reluctantly agrees to share a room with an unknown harpooner. He observes the chaotic arrival of the crew of the Grampus, noting the imposing but somber figure of Bulkington. As he waits, his anxiety about his future bedfellow grows, leading him to attempt sleeping on a wooden bench before finally retiring to the shared room.

## Themes in this chapter

### Interpretation and Perception

The entire description of the mysterious, smoke-begrimed painting requires diligent study and multiple interpretations before Ishmael arrives at his 'final theory,' highlighting the subjective nature of understanding.

### Isolation and Community

Ishmael's reluctance to share a bed contrasts with the forced communal living of sailors. His solitary observation of the reveling crew and the separate, quiet departure of Bulkington underscore themes of individual isolation within seafaring society.

## Character check-ins

### Ishmael

The narrator, arriving at the inn, anxious and observant of the strange surroundings and his impending roommate.

### Peter Coffin

The landlord of the Spouter-Inn, who arranges for Ishmael to share a bed with Queequeg and humorously planes a bench for him.

### Bulkington

A tall, solemn, and physically imposing sailor from the Grampus, who briefly appears before slipping away from his boisterous crewmates.

## Key lines

> I sought the landlord, and telling him I desired to be accommodated with a room, received for answer that his house was full—not a bed unoccupied. 'But avast,' he added, tapping his forehead, 'you hain’t no objections to sharing a harpooneer’s blanket, have ye?'

The inn is full, so the landlord suggests Ishmael share a bed with a harpooner.

_Sets up the central tension and mystery of the chapter._

> The more I pondered over this harpooneer, the more I abominated the thought of sleeping with him.

Ishmael's anxiety and disgust about his unknown roommate grows the longer he thinks about it.

_Highlights Ishmael's fear of the unknown and his fastidious nature._

> In a few minutes, however, he was missed by his shipmates... they raised a cry of 'Bulkington! Bulkington! where’s Bulkington?'

The crew of the Grampus notices Bulkington's absence and calls out for him.

_Introduces Bulkington as a respected but solitary figure._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/moby_dick_se/chapters/iii-the-spouter-inn
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/moby_dick_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/moby_dick_se/chapters