Chapters 115-125

This section is for discussion re: Chapters 115-125

The Pequod meets another ship called the Bachelor, a ship that is full of whale products. Ahab is invited to a party on the ship and declines because he wants to find Moby-Dick. Ahab suns himself and thinks that he will get strength from the sun. Here is another instance where Ahab makes a decision to go after Moby-Dick.

Starbuck starts to question Ahab’s decisions. Ahab is not taking the crew’s well being first. He has the focus on Moby-Dick. Ahab finally has no more navigation equipment because it all broke. He asks Pip for help and gets comfort from him. Ahab is starting to wear down, I think. He is making rash decisions based on his one goal of getting Moby-Dick.

Excellent observation of the typhoon and the crews teamwork. Wow.

when another ship comes nearby Ahab is moody and gloomy. he doesn't partake in their revelry, only becoming more set that he will get Moby Dick. the favct that he looked at his vial of sand from nantucket as the bachelor was moving out of sight made me think he knew he would not see Nantucket again.
Ahab’s control over the ship becomes more obvious. He damages all the instruments that logically kep the ship on course. Ahab is confident that he won't die at sea given what he is fortold. I think one of the hearses is going to be the casket that was made earlier in the novel! (since I KNOW he DOES die at sea!)
I am amazed that Starbuck is the only one seriously questioning the ships captain.
I liked the scenario where the whale turned its dying face to sun.

Good point about the navigation tools that are all broken. When he does that he gives himself a better chance to chase Moby-Dick instead of stay on a course that he has to explain to the crew.