# Chowder explained — Moby-Dick

> Chapter companion for Moby-Dick by Herman Melville.

## What happens

Ishmael and Queequeg arrive in Nantucket and, following Peter Coffin's recommendation, seek lodging at the Try Pots, run by Hosea and Mrs. Hussey. They receive a brusque welcome from Mrs. Hussey, who offers only 'clam or cod.' After a confusing exchange, they are served an excellent clam chowder. Ishmael experiments by calling out 'cod' and receives a cod chowder as well. The chapter humorously details the pervasively fishy atmosphere of the inn, from its decor to its cow's diet. As they retire, Mrs. Hussey confiscates Queequeg's harpoon, citing a past fatal accident involving a boarder.

## Themes in this chapter

### Interpretation and Perception

Ishmael's ominous interpretation of the inn's sign as a gallows contrasts with its mundane purpose, and his playful misinterpretation of 'clam or cod' creates comic confusion.

### Isolation and Community

The Try Pots serves as a specific, quirky node in the whaling community, a place of temporary lodging and sustenance for sailors before they embark into isolation.

## Character check-ins

### Ishmael

Narrates the arrival at the Try Pots, experiments with the chowder orders, and reflects on the ominous gallows-like sign.

### Queequeg

Accompanies Ishmael, enjoys the chowder, and has his harpoon taken by Mrs. Hussey at bedtime.

### Mrs. Hussey

The formidable proprietor of the Try Pots who manages the inn, serves chowder, and enforces the 'no harpoons' rule.

### Peter Coffin

Mentioned as the landlord of the Spouter-Inn who recommended the Try Pots and gave confusing directions.

### Hosea Hussey

Mentioned as the absent owner of the Try Pots, famous for his chowders.

## Key lines

> Fishiest of all fishy places was the Try Pots... till you began to look for fish-bones coming through your clothes.

The Try Pots was so thoroughly saturated with fish that a guest might start to feel transformed by it.

_Hyperbole emphasizing the all-consuming fish culture of the whaling port._

> I could not help staring at this gallows with a vague misgiving. A sort of crick was in my neck as I gazed up to the two remaining horns; yes, two of them, one for Queequeg, and one for me.

Ishmael sees the inn's sign as a gallows and superstitiously feels it is a personal omen for him and Queequeg.

_Highlights Ishmael's contemplative and sometimes morbid imagination._

> "Because it’s dangerous," says she. "Ever since young Stiggs... was found dead in my first floor back, with his harpoon in his side..."

Mrs. Hussey forbids harpoons in rooms due to a past tragedy where a whaleman died by his own weapon.

_A darkly comic anecdote that introduces a note of real danger amidst the farce._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/moby_dick_se/chapters/xv-chowder
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/moby_dick_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/moby_dick_se/chapters