Moby-Dick · Chapter
LXXXI: The Pequod Meets the Virgin explained
The Pequod encounters the German whaler Jungfrau (the Virgin), whose captain, Derick De Deer, is out of lamp oil and begs for supplies.
What happens
The Pequod encounters the German whaler Jungfrau (the Virgin), whose captain, Derick De Deer, is out of lamp oil and begs for supplies. Shortly after, whales are sighted. Both ships give chase, with the German boats taking the lead. The Pequod's crew, led by Starbuck, Stubb, and Flask, eventually overtake and kill a large, infirm, yellowish whale. The dead whale sinks, threatening to capsize the Pequod until Queequeg cuts it loose. The chapter ends with the Jungfrau futilely chasing a Finback whale.
Themes in this chapter
Man vs. Nature
The violent, chaotic hunt and the whale's agonized flight highlight the brutal conflict.
Friendship and Human Bonding
Contrasted with the competitive, unsupportive interaction between the Pequod and the desperate Jungfrau.
The Limits of Knowledge
The chapter digresses on the unexplained phenomenon of why some healthy sperm whales sink, underscoring the mysteries of nature.
Characters to notice
- Starbuck
Observes the German captain's approach and leads the whale chase.
- Stubb
Mocks the German crew, provides running commentary during the chase, and orders the whale cut loose.
- Flask
Identifies Derick's lamp-feeder, taunts the wounded whale, and participates in the hunt.
- Queequeg
One of the three harpooneers who strikes the whale; later uses a hatchet to cut the sinking carcass loose, saving the ship.
- Tashtego
One of the three harpooneers who simultaneously strikes the whale.
- Daggoo
One of the three harpooneers who simultaneously strikes the whale.
- Captain Ahab
Abruptly questions Derick De Deer about the White Whale, showing no interest in his practical needs.
- Derick De Deer
Captain of the Jungfrau; begs for oil, then leads a desperate and ultimately misguided chase.
Key passages
“It was a terrific, most pitiable, and maddening sight. The whale was now going head out, and sending his spout before him in a continual tormented jet...”
The whale's terrified, painful flight is described as both horrifying and deeply saddening.
Evokes pathos for the hunted creature.
“"Don’t be afraid, my butter-boxes," cried Stubb... "ye’ll be picked up presently—all right—I saw some sharks astern— St. Bernard’s dogs, you know—relieve distressed travellers."”
Stubb mockingly reassures the spilled German sailors that sharks will 'rescue' them.
Highlights Stubb's cruel humor and the competitive ruthlessness of whaling.
“But though boats have been taken down and lost in this way, yet it is this 'holding on'... this it is that often torments the Leviathan into soon rising again...”
The dangerous tactic of holding the line on a sounding whale is explained as a method to torment it into surfacing.
Technical whaling detail emphasizing calculated cruelty.
“Oh! many are the Finbacks, and many are the Dericks, my friend.”
The narrator concludes that many whalers (Dericks) waste their effort chasing the uncatchable (Finbacks).
A philosophical closing on futile pursuit.
