Really struck today by how, despite Ishmael knowing his captain is nuts, he still recognizes that Ahab has this very intricate understanding of his crews’ whims… and how to manipulate them. It surprised me that Ahab’s monomania has this capacity for other peoples’ needs. It’s a clever, insightful depiction of madness. I sort of expect Ahab to be so focused on his quest that he dismisses his crew, rather than shrewdly controls them…
Really struck today by how, despite Ishmael knowing his captain is nuts, he still recognizes that Ahab has this very intricate understanding of his crews’ whims… and how to manipulate them. It surprised me that Ahab’s monomania has this capacity for other peoples’ needs. It’s a clever, insightful depiction of madness. I sort of expect Ahab to be so focused on his quest that he dismisses his crew, rather than shrewdly controls them…
“Bart Simpson was here,” could be an alternative title to Chapter 43.