Listen now | Topics Discussed: Chapter 26 "Knight and Squires" (not to be confused with Chapter 27 "Knights and Squires") — Starbuck and his characterization — the power of being a second-in-command — how the novel shifts between first- and third-person — Sue’s Moby-Dick tattoo — Moby-Dick as a fun puzzle — “Bartleby, the Scrivener” — Crispin Glover — the pains of being a Starbuck fan
One of my favorite quotes from this set of chapters is the first half of the one you mentioned about Bulkington: "Wonderfullest things are ever the unmentionable; deep memories yield no epitaphs;" Isn't it strange how concepts from books written so long ago still feel true even in the age of oversharing on the internet?
On a totally different note, I don't know how anyone can read Ishmael as anything other than not straight - while describing Starbuck, he describes him first as having skin "as hard as a twice baked biscuit" and some other unflattering attributes, but then rushes to say "He was by no means ill-looking; quite the contrary. His pure tight skin was an excellent fit; and closely wrapped up in it"- as if to tell us "don't worry guys, he was still hot in spite of his hard skin!"
One of my favorite quotes from this set of chapters is the first half of the one you mentioned about Bulkington: "Wonderfullest things are ever the unmentionable; deep memories yield no epitaphs;" Isn't it strange how concepts from books written so long ago still feel true even in the age of oversharing on the internet?
On a totally different note, I don't know how anyone can read Ishmael as anything other than not straight - while describing Starbuck, he describes him first as having skin "as hard as a twice baked biscuit" and some other unflattering attributes, but then rushes to say "He was by no means ill-looking; quite the contrary. His pure tight skin was an excellent fit; and closely wrapped up in it"- as if to tell us "don't worry guys, he was still hot in spite of his hard skin!"
Much less deep than the other comments on here, but I actually laughed out loud that Ahab’s 2nd line of dialog is him yelling “Avast!”
Loved the mini-podcast- what a great idea!
Also, Sue, I totally hear you about being a steady #2 without the stress of being a #1 at work :)