An excerpt from the original text.(complete · 566 words)
he Dart.
A word concerning an incident in the last chapter.
According to the invariable usage of the fishery, the whale-boat pushes
off from the ship, with the headsman or whale-killer as temporary
steersman, and the harpooneer or whale-fastener pulling the foremost
oar, the one known as the harpooneer-oar. Now it needs a strong,
nervous arm to strike the first iron into the fish; for often, in what
is called a long dart, the heavy implement has to be flung to the
distance of twenty or thirty feet. But however prolonged and exhausting
the chase, the harpooneer is expected to pull his oar meanwhile to the
uttermost; indeed, he is expected to set an example of superhuman
activity to the rest, not only by incredible rowing, but by repeated
loud and intrepid exclamations; and what it is to keep shouting at the
top of one’s compass, while all the other muscles are strained and half
started—what that is none know but those who have tried it. For one, I
cannot bawl very heartily and work very recklessly at one and the same
time. In this straining, bawling state, then, with his back to the
fish, all at once the exhausted harpooneer hears the exciting
cry—“Stand up, and give it to him!” He now has to drop and secure his
oar, turn round on his centre half way, seize his harpoon from the
crotch, and with what little strength may remain, he essays to pitch it
somehow into the whale. No wonder, taking the whole fleet of whalemen
in a body, that out of fifty fair chances for a dart, not five are
successful; no wonder that so many hapless harpooneers are madly cursed
and disrated; no wonder that some of them actually burst their
blood-vessels in the boat; no wonder that some sperm whalemen are
absent four years with four barrels; no wonder that to many ship
owners, whaling is but a losing concern; for it is the harpooneer that
makes the voyage, and if you take the breath out of his body how can
you expect to find it there when most wanted!
Again, if the dart be successful, then at the second critical instant,
that is, when the whale starts to run, the boatheader and harpooneer
likewise start to running fore and aft, to the imminent jeopardy of
themselves and every one else. It is then they change places; and the
headsman, the chief officer of the little craft, takes his proper
station in the bows of the boat.
Now, I care not who maintains the contrary, but all this is both
foolish and unnecessary. The headsman should stay in the bows from
first to last; he should both dart the harpoon and the lance, and no
rowing whatever should be expected of him, except under circumstances
obvious to any fisherman. I know that this would sometimes involve a
slight loss of speed in the chase; but long experience in various
whalemen of more than one nation has convinced me that in the vast
majority of failures in the fishery, it has not by any means been so
much the speed of the whale as the before described exhaustion of the
harpooneer that has caused them.
To insure the greatest efficiency in the dart, the harpooneers of this
world must start to their feet from out of idleness, and not from out
of toil.
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Let's Analyse the Pattern
When those with linguistic power exploit those without it by creating deliberate confusion for personal gain.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches you to recognize when someone deliberately uses language barriers or jargon to exploit others who can't defend themselves verbally.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone uses complicated language to explain something simple—then ask yourself who benefits from the confusion.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"What's the matter with your nose, there? Broken?"
Context: Stubb mocks the German captain's accent and difficulty with English
Shows how quickly Stubb moves from confusion to mockery. Instead of helping the German communicate, he immediately attacks his vulnerability. This reveals the cruel streak beneath Stubb's joking exterior.
In Today's Words:
Why can't you talk right? What's wrong with you?
"Blasted fool! the whale is dead and gone long ago!"
Context: Stubb lies to the German captain about Moby Dick being dead
The lie serves multiple purposes: it eliminates competition and gives Stubb power over someone vulnerable. His confidence in deceiving fellow sailors shows how the Pequod's quest has corrupted basic maritime solidarity.
In Today's Words:
You idiot! That opportunity dried up months ago!
"Didn't I tell you so?"
Context: Stubb brags to his shipmates after successfully deceiving the Germans
His pride in the deception shows he values cleverness over honesty. The crew's approval reinforces that trickery is now more valued than the traditional whaler's code of helping other ships.
In Today's Words:
See? I told you I could play them!
"The ungracious and ungrateful dog!"
Context: Stubb pretends to be offended when the Germans leave quickly
Even after deceiving them, Stubb plays the victim. This false outrage adds insult to injury, showing how bullies often claim moral high ground after hurting others.
In Today's Words:
How rude! After everything I did for them!
Thematic Threads
Deception
In This Chapter
Stubb's elaborate lie about Moby Dick being dead and worthless, exploiting the Germans' limited English
Development
Evolved from earlier individual deceptions to systematic exploitation of the vulnerable
In Your Life:
When someone uses complicated language to explain something that should be simple, they're often hiding something.
Power
In This Chapter
Language fluency becomes a tool of domination—those who speak the dominant language control the narrative
Development
Shifts from physical power dynamics to intellectual and linguistic dominance
In Your Life:
The person who controls the vocabulary in any situation usually controls the outcome.
Isolation
In This Chapter
The Pequod crew's willingness to deceive fellow whalers shows their growing disconnection from maritime brotherhood
Development
Deepens from previous chapters—the hunt for Moby Dick is corroding basic human bonds
In Your Life:
When your goals make you willing to harm people in similar situations, you've lost your way.
Class
In This Chapter
The educated exploit the less educated through language, mirroring how upper classes use complexity against working people
Development
Builds on earlier class themes by showing how education and language become tools of class warfare
In Your Life:
Those who make things unnecessarily complex usually benefit from your confusion.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What trick does Stubb play on the German sailors, and why do they fall for it?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Stubb choose to deceive fellow whalers who are facing the same dangers at sea? What does this reveal about how the Pequod's crew is changing?
analysis • medium - 3
Where in your life have you seen people use complicated language to take advantage of others? Think about contracts, medical visits, or financial services.
application • medium - 4
If you were in a situation where someone was using confusing language to rush you into a decision, what specific steps would you take to protect yourself?
application • deep - 5
What's the difference between a harmless prank and exploitation? When does using your advantages over someone cross the line?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Decode the Double-Talk
Think of a recent situation where someone used complicated language that left you confused—maybe a phone contract, medical form, or financial document. Rewrite their main points in plain English that a 12-year-old could understand. Then identify what information they might have been trying to hide or rush you past.
Consider:
- •What specific words or phrases created the most confusion?
- •Did the person seem helpful or impatient when you asked questions?
- •Looking back, what were they hoping you wouldn't notice or understand?
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you successfully pushed back against confusing language and demanded clarity. How did it feel? What gave you the courage to insist on understanding?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 63
After deceiving the German whalers, the Pequod's crew returns to the endless routine of hunting ordinary whales. But the monotony of their daily work is about to be shattered by a discovery that will remind them why they're really out here.
