Summary
Queequeg returns to the Spouter-Inn loaded with embalmed heads he's been peddling around New Bedford. Despite their awkward first night together, Ishmael finds himself warming to his tattooed roommate. They share breakfast at the inn, where Ishmael watches Queequeg perform his morning rituals - shaving with his harpoon and methodically dressing himself. The other boarders barely notice Queequeg's unusual appearance, being sailors themselves who've seen it all. Over breakfast, Ishmael observes how Queequeg uses his harpoon like a fork to spear his beefsteaks, displaying the same casual precision he'd use hunting whales. What strikes Ishmael most is Queequeg's natural dignity and self-possession. Here's a man who knows exactly who he is, unbothered by others' opinions. After the meal, Queequeg calmly smokes his tomahawk-pipe and reads a large book, running his finger along the pages though he clearly can't understand the words. Ishmael realizes he's been judging Queequeg by appearance alone. This 'savage' shows more courtesy and composure than most 'civilized' men he's known. The chapter marks a turning point - Ishmael stops seeing Queequeg as a frightening other and starts recognizing him as a fellow human being worthy of respect. It's a lesson about looking past surface differences to find common humanity. In a book that will explore man's relationship with nature and the unknown, Melville first asks us to reconsider our relationships with each other. Before Ishmael can face the whale, he must first face his own prejudices.
Coming Up in Chapter 11
With his fears about Queequeg fading, Ishmael discovers this unusual friendship might be exactly what he needs before heading out to sea. But first, there's the matter of finding the right ship.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
A Bosom Friend. Returning to the Spouter-Inn from the Chapel, I found Queequeg there quite alone; he having left the Chapel before the benediction some time. He was sitting on a bench before the fire, with his feet on the stove hearth, and in one hand was holding close up to his face that little negro idol of his; peering hard into its face, and with a jack-knife gently whittling away at its nose, meanwhile humming to himself in his heathenish way. But being now interrupted, he put up the image; and pretty soon, going to the table, took up a large book there, and placing it on his lap began counting the pages with deliberate regularity; at every fiftieth page—as I fancied—stopping a moment, looking vacantly around him, and giving utterance to a long-drawn gurgling whistle of astonishment. He would then begin again at the next fifty; seeming to commence at number one each time, as though he could not count more than fifty, and it was only by such a large number of fifties being found together, that his astonishment at the multitude of pages was excited. With much interest I sat watching him. Savage though he was, and hideously marred about the face—at least to my taste—his countenance yet had a something in it which was by no means disagreeable. You cannot hide the soul. Through all his unearthly tattooings, I thought I saw the traces of a simple honest heart; and in his large, deep eyes, fiery black and bold, there seemed tokens of a spirit that would dare a thousand devils. And besides all this, there was a certain lofty bearing about the Pagan, which even his uncouthness could not altogether maim. He looked like a man who had never cringed and never had had a creditor. Whether it was, too, that his head being shaved, his forehead was drawn out in freer and brighter relief, and looked more expansive than it otherwise would, this I will not venture to decide; but certain it was his head was phrenologically an excellent one. It may seem ridiculous, but it reminded me of General Washington’s head, as seen in the popular busts of him. It had the same long regularly graded retreating slope from above the brows, which were likewise very projecting, like two long promontories thickly wooded on top. Queequeg was George Washington cannibalistically developed. Whilst I was thus closely scanning him, half-pretending meanwhile to be looking out at the storm from the casement, he never heeded my presence, never troubled himself with so much as a single glance; but appeared wholly occupied with counting the pages of the marvellous book. Considering how sociably we had been sleeping together the night previous, and especially considering the affectionate arm I had found thrown over me upon waking in the morning, I thought this indifference of his very strange. But savages are strange beings; at times you do not know exactly how to take them. At first they...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road Beyond First Impressions
Our survival instinct to quickly categorize people by appearance blinds us to their actual character and value.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches you to gather firsthand evidence about people rather than accepting secondhand warnings.
Practice This Today
Next time coworkers warn you about someone, observe that person's actual behavior for a full week before forming your own opinion.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Embalmed heads
Preserved human heads that were traded as curiosities in the 19th century, often from Pacific islands. Shows how different cultures were commodified and seen as exotic objects rather than human remains deserving respect.
Modern Usage:
We still see this in how social media turns other cultures into aesthetic trends to consume
Tomahawk-pipe
A combination weapon and smoking pipe used by some Indigenous peoples and adopted by sailors. Represents how objects can serve both peaceful and violent purposes, just like people aren't simply one thing.
Modern Usage:
Like a Swiss Army knife or smartphone - one tool serving multiple purposes
Morning ablutions
Daily washing and grooming rituals. Melville uses Queequeg's unusual routine to show that everyone has their own way of preparing for the day, challenging what we consider 'normal' or 'civilized.'
Modern Usage:
Everyone's got their morning routine - some need coffee, others need a workout
Cannibal
Someone who eats human flesh - a label Europeans often applied to Pacific Islanders regardless of truth. Melville uses this fear to expose how prejudice works through scary labels that may have no basis in reality.
Modern Usage:
Like calling someone a 'thug' or 'Karen' - labels that shut down real understanding
Boarding house culture
Shared living spaces where travelers and workers rented rooms and ate communal meals. Created forced intimacy between strangers from different backgrounds, breaking down social barriers through daily contact.
Modern Usage:
Like living in a hostel, college dorm, or having roommates from Craigslist
Harpoon as utensil
Using a whale-hunting weapon as an eating fork. Shows how we judge others for using familiar tools differently, and how skill in one area transfers to another.
Modern Usage:
Like using work tools for home projects - a nurse using medical tape for everything
Characters in This Chapter
Queequeg
Ishmael's roommate and future friend
Returns from selling heads, goes through his morning routine with dignity and precision. Shows more courtesy and self-possession than the 'civilized' men around him, teaching Ishmael about prejudice.
Modern Equivalent:
The immigrant coworker whose skills you underestimated
Ishmael
Narrator and protagonist
Watches Queequeg with growing respect, recognizing his own prejudices. Begins transforming from fearful observer to genuine friend. His openness to changing his mind drives the chapter.
Modern Equivalent:
The new employee learning not to judge by first impressions
Mrs. Hussey
Innkeeper/landlady
Serves breakfast to the boarders without batting an eye at Queequeg. Her matter-of-fact acceptance shows how those in the service industry often see past surface differences.
Modern Equivalent:
The diner waitress who's seen everything and judges no one
The other boarders
Background sailors
Barely notice Queequeg's appearance or habits, being worldly sailors themselves. Their indifference contrasts with Ishmael's initial fear, showing how experience broadens acceptance.
Modern Equivalent:
Airport workers who aren't fazed by any type of traveler
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Queequeg, do you see, was a creature in the transition stage—neither caterpillar nor butterfly."
Context: Ishmael reflecting on Queequeg existing between 'savage' and 'civilized' worlds
Shows how we try to force people into categories when most exist between definitions. Queequeg doesn't fit Ishmael's boxes of savage or civilized - he's simply himself. This challenges the binary thinking that drives prejudice.
In Today's Words:
He didn't fit into any neat category - not quite fitting in anywhere but comfortable being himself
"He treated me with so much civility and consideration, while I was guilty of great rudeness."
Context: Ishmael realizes Queequeg has shown more courtesy than he has
The 'savage' shows more civilization than the 'civilized' man. Melville flips the script on who's really barbaric - the one who judges by appearance or the one who treats strangers with respect.
In Today's Words:
Here I was acting like he was the problem, when I was the one being rude
"With much interest I sat watching him. Savage though he was, and hideously marred about the face—at least to my taste—his countenance yet had a something in it which was by no means disagreeable."
Context: Ishmael observing Queequeg during breakfast
Shows prejudice softening through proximity. Ishmael still uses words like 'savage' but starts seeing the person beneath. Real change happens gradually through daily contact, not sudden revelation.
In Today's Words:
The more I watched him, the more I realized my first impression was way off
"He commenced dressing at top by donning his beaver hat, a very tall one, by the by, and then—still minus his trowsers—he hunted up his boots."
Context: Describing Queequeg's unconventional dressing routine
Queequeg dresses in his own order, not society's expected sequence. This small detail shows how we judge difference as wrong rather than simply different. His confidence in his own way challenges conformity.
In Today's Words:
He got dressed in completely the wrong order, but made it work with total confidence
Thematic Threads
Prejudice
In This Chapter
Ishmael's fear of Queequeg transforms into respect once he observes his actual behavior rather than his appearance
Development
Evolved from initial terror in bed scene to recognition of shared humanity
In Your Life:
That coworker you avoided because they seemed weird might become your best shift partner
Dignity
In This Chapter
Queequeg's complete self-possession and comfort with who he is, regardless of others' stares
Development
Introduced here as counterpoint to Ishmael's social anxiety
In Your Life:
The most confident people often care least about fitting in
Civilization
In This Chapter
The 'savage' Queequeg shows more courtesy than the 'civilized' Ishmael who prejudged him
Development
Builds on earlier questioning of what makes someone civilized
In Your Life:
The resident with the roughest background might teach you the most about grace
Recognition
In This Chapter
Ishmael finally sees Queequeg as a fellow human being worthy of respect
Development
Culminates the roommate arc from terror to acceptance to respect
In Your Life:
The moment you stop seeing someone as 'other' is when real connection becomes possible
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What specific actions made Ishmael change his mind about Queequeg?
analysis • surface - 2
Why do you think the other sailors at breakfast didn't react to Queequeg's unusual appearance?
analysis • medium - 3
Think of a time when someone's appearance made you nervous or uncomfortable. How did their actual behavior compare to your first impression?
application • medium - 4
If a new coworker showed up tomorrow with face tattoos and unusual habits but did excellent work, how would you handle your initial discomfort?
application • deep - 5
What does Queequeg's calm confidence despite being an outsider teach us about belonging and self-worth?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Track Your Snap Judgments
For the next 24 hours, catch yourself making instant judgments about people based on appearance. Write down what you noticed first (clothes, accent, behavior) and what assumption you made. Then note one actual thing they did or said. Compare your assumption to their action.
Consider:
- •Notice which visual cues trigger the strongest reactions in you
- •Pay attention to when you're wrong versus when you're right
- •Consider what you might be missing by making these quick judgments
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when someone completely misjudged you based on appearance. How did it feel? What did they miss about who you really are?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 11
As the story unfolds, you'll explore key events and character development in this chapter, while uncovering thematic elements and literary techniques. These lessons connect the classic to contemporary challenges we all face.