Most Popular Books by Herman Melville

A young seaman joins the crew of the fanatical Captain Ahab in pursuit of the white whale Moby Dick.

Moby-Dick or, The Whale is an 1851 novel by American writer Herman Melville. The book is sailor Ishmael''s narrative of the obsessive quest of Ahab, captain of the whaling ship Pequod, for revenge on Moby Dick, the giant white sperm whale that on the ship''s previous voyage bit off Ahab''s leg at the knee. A contribution to the literature of the American Renaissance, the work''s genre classifications range from late Romantic to early Symbolist. Moby-Dick was published to mixed reviews, was a commercial failure, and was out of print at the time of the author''s death in 1891. Its reputation as a "Great American Novel" was established only in the 20th century, after the centennial of its author''s birth. William Faulkner confessed he wished he had written the book himself, and D. H. Lawrence called it "one of the strangest and most wonderful books in the world" and "the greatest book of the sea ever written". Its opening sentence, "Call me Ishmael", is among world literature''s most famous.About Melville: Herman Melville (August 1, 1819 - September 28, 1891) was an American novelist, short story writer, essayist, and poet. His earliest novels were bestsellers, but his popularity declined later in his life. By the time of his death he had virtually been forgotten, but his longest novel, Moby-Dick - largely considered a failure during his lifetime, and responsible for Melville''s drop in popularity - was rediscovered in the 20th century as a literary masterpiece.

Bartleby by Herman Melville is a poignant exploration of alienation and the human condition, set against the backdrop of bustling Wall Street in 19th-century New York. The enigmatic Bartleby, a copyist hired by the story''s narrator, initially proves a diligent worker. However, as the demands of the job weigh heavy on him, Bartleby utters his now-famous refrain: "I would prefer not to." This seemingly innocuous statement transforms into a profound act of passive resistance, marking the beginning of Bartleby''s descent into a realm of existential isolation. Melville''s narrative delves into the complexities of individual autonomy and societal expectations, unraveling a tale that resonates with themes of free will and the consequences of rebelling against the machine of conformity. HERMAN MELVILLE [1819-1891] was an American poet and novelist. Melville was not popular during his own lifetime and largely forgotten upon his death, however, during the 20th century his work was rediscovered and his novel Moby-Dick [1851] is today considered one of the great American novels.

Featuring an appendix of discussion questions, the Diversion Classics edition is ideal for use in book groups and classrooms. In the canonical epic—one of the greatest, most lasting novels in American history—Captain Ahab descends into madness as he sails in search of Moby Dick, the elusive white whale that destroyed his ship, crippled him, and sent him on an unstoppable quest for revenge. Blending elements from adventure stories, Elizabethan drama, and epic poetry, Melville crafts a tale of fate and vengeance years ahead of its time. A critical failure at its first publication, MOBY DICK now takes its rightful place among American classics.

A masterpiece of storytelling and symbolic realism, this thrilling adventure and epic saga pits Ahab, a brooding sea captain, against the great white whale that crippled him. More than just the tale of a hair-raising voyage, Melville''s riveting story of Moby-Dick passionately probes man''s soul. A literary classic first published in 1851, Moby-Dick represents the ultimate human struggle.

Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall Street" is a short story by the American writer Herman Melville. In the story, a Wall Street lawyer hires a new clerk who, after an initial bout of hard work, refuses to make copies or do any other task required of him, refusing with the words "I would prefer not to." Numerous critical essays have been published about the story, which scholar Robert Milder describes as "unquestionably the masterpiece of the short fiction" in the Melville canon.

Drawn from Melville''s own adolescent experience aboard a merchant ship, Redburn tells the story of Wellingborough Redburn, whose innocence is transformed into disenchantment at the hands of bullying and brutal shipmates and the squalid conditions in Liverpool. Taken from the authoritative first American edition, this Modern Library Paperback Classic includes newly commissioned notes. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.

A masterful adaptation of the timeless literary classic, faithfully and beautifully rendered by an award-winning artist. In striking black-and-white illustrations, Chabouté retells the story of the Great American Novel. Captain Ahab strikes out on a voyage, obsessively seeking revenge on the great white whale that took his leg. This hardcover edition collects both of the Vents d''Ouest volumes, printed in English for the first time.

Moby-Dick; or, The Whale is an 1851 novel by American writer Herman Melville. The book is the sailor Ishmael''s narrative of the obsessive quest of Ahab, captain of the whaling ship Pequod, for revenge on Moby Dick, the giant white sperm whale that on the ship''s previous voyage bit off Ahab''s leg at the knee. A contribution to the literature of the American Renaissance, Moby-Dick was published to mixed reviews, was a commercial failure, and was out of print at the time of the author''s death in 1891. Its reputation as a "Great American Novel" was established only in the 20th century, after the centennial of its author''s birth. William Faulkner said he wished he had written the book himself, and D. H. Lawrence called it "one of the strangest and most wonderful books in the world" and "the greatest book of the sea ever written". Its opening sentence, "Call me Ishmael", is among world literature''s most famous

Moby-Dick; or, The Whale (1851) is the sixth book by American writer Herman Melville. The work is an epic sea story of Captain Ahab''s voyage in pursuit of Moby Dick, a great white whale. It initially received mixed reviews and at Melville''s death in 1891 was remembered, if at all, as a children''s sea adventure, but now is considered one of the Great American Novels and a leading work of American Romanticism. The opening line, "Call me Ishmael," is one of the most recognizable opening lines in Western literature. Ishmael then narrates the voyage of the whaleship Pequod, commanded by Captain Ahab. Ahab has one purpose: revenge on Moby Dick, a ferocious, enigmatic white whale which on a previous voyage destroyed Ahab''s ship and severed his leg at the knee. The detailed and realistic descriptions of whale hunting and the process of extracting whale oil, as well as life aboard ship among a culturally diverse crew, are mixed with exploration of class and social status, good and evil, and the existence of God.

Moby-Dick; or, The Whale in an 1851 novel by American writer Herman Melville. The book is the sailor Ishmael''s narrative of the obsessive quest of Ahab, captain of the whaling ship Pequod, for revenge on Moby Dick, the giant white sperm whale that on the ship''s previous voyage bit off Ahab''s leg at the knee. A contribution to the literature of the American Renaissance, Moby-Dick was published to mixed reviews, was a commercial failure, and was out of print at the time of the author''s death in 1891. Its reputation as a "Great American Novel" was established only in the 20th century, after the centennial of its author''s birth. William Faulkner said he wished he had written the book himself, and D.H Lawrence called it "one of the strangest and most wonderful books in the world" and "the greatest book of the sea ever written". Its opening sentence, "Call me Ishmael", is among world literature''s most famous. Melville began writing Moby-Dick in February 1850, and finished 18 months later, a year longer than he had anticipated. Melville drew on his experience as a common sailor from 1841 to 1844, including several years on whalers, and on wide reading in whaling literature. The white whale is modeled on the notoriously hard-to-catch albino whale Mocha Dick, and the book''s ending is based on the sinking of the whaleship Essex in 1820.his literary influences include Shakespeare and the Bible. The detailed and realistic descriptions of whale hunting and of extracting whale oil, as well as life aboard ship among a culturally diverse crew, are mixed with exploration of class and social status, good and evil, and the existence of God. In addition to narrative prose, Melville uses styles and literary devices ranging from songs, poetry, and catalogs to Shakespearean stage directions, soliloquies, and asides. In August 1850, with the manuscript perhaps half-finished, he met Nathaniel Hawthorne and was deeply moved by his Mosses from an Old Manse, which he compared to Shakespeare in its cosmic ambitions. This encounter may have inspired him to revise and expand Moby-Dick, which is dedicated to Hawthorne, "in token of my admiration for his genius".The book was first published (in three volumes) as The Whale in London in October 1851, and under its definitive title in a single-volume edition in New York in November. The London publisher, Richard Bentley, censored or changed sensitive passages; Melville made revisions as well, including a last-minute change to the title for the New York edition. The whale, however, appears in the text of both editions as "Moby Dick", without the hyphen. Format: 6 x 9 in.135 Chapters + Epilogue467 pagesQuality cream paperDesigner Matt Cover Printed in the USA for USA orders

No library''s complete without the classics! "Call me Ishmael" says Moby Dick''s protagonist, and with this famous first line launches one of the acclaimed great American novels. Part adventure story, part quest for vengeance, part biological textbook and part whaling manual, Moby Dick was first published in 1851. The story follows Ishmael as he abandons his humdrum life on shore for an adventure on the waves. Finding the whaler Pequod at harbour in Nantucket, he signs up for a three year term without meeting the Captain of the ship, a mysterious figure called Ahab. It is only well into the voyage that Ahab''s thirst for vengeance against the eponymous white whale Moby Dick--and the consequences--become clear. The novel is semi-autobiographical: Herman Melville had had his own experience of whaling, having spent a year and a half aboard a whaling ship and further years travelling the world in the early 1840s. Herman used the knowledge gained from his experiences and wide reading on the subject to furnish Moby Dick with an almost encyclopaedic quality at times. The literary style varies widely, veering from soliloquies and staged scenes to dream sequences to comprehensive lists of ships provisions, but everything serves to further detail the world that''s being painted. Presented here is the New York edition, which was published later than the London edition and reverted numerous changes the original publishers had made, as well as including the initially omitted epilogue. Complete Unabridged Original Illustrated with book-end doodles about reading

"Moby Dick, or The Whale" by Herman Melville is a monumental work of American literature that delves deep into themes of obsession, revenge, and the struggle between man and nature. The novel tells the story of Ishmael, a sailor who joins the whaling ship *Pequod*, commanded by the enigmatic and vengeful Captain Ahab. Ahab''s singular obsession is to hunt and kill Moby Dick, a giant white whale that had previously cost him his leg. As the narrative unfolds, Ishmael recounts the perilous journey, exploring the vastness of the ocean, the diversity of life aboard the ship, and Ahab’s increasingly obsessive pursuit of the whale. At its core, "Moby Dick" is a profound meditation on the destructive nature of obsession and the human condition. Melville’s novel weaves together adventure, philosophical reflection, and a deep exploration of existential questions. Through Ahab’s quest, Melville explores themes of fate, the limits of human knowledge, and the eternal battle between humanity and the forces of nature. The complex symbolism of the whale itself stands as a representation of the unknowable and uncontrollable forces of the world. "Moby Dick" is renowned for its intricate prose, rich symbolism, and the deep philosophical insights embedded within the narrative. It has become a timeless classic, not only for its exciting whaling adventure but also for its exploration of the dark, obsessive side of human nature. Melville’s mastery of language and storytelling makes this a challenging yet rewarding read that has captivated generations of readers. Readers are drawn to "Moby Dick" for its depth, philosophical reflections, and its exploration of themes that continue to resonate today, such as obsession, vengeance, and the search for meaning. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in American literature, classic novels, and existential philosophy. Owning a copy of "Moby Dick" is like possessing a window into one of the greatest literary achievements of the 19th century, making it an essential addition to any bookshelf.

Annotations the adventure novel Moby Dick (Planet), the most famous of Herman Melville and the most important of his career. The novel tells the story of a young man who embarks on a whaling ship, the Pequod. His authoritarian captain, Ahab, suffered an accident with a whale that amputated his leg. Obsessed with taking revenge on her, he baptizes her as Moby Dick and sets out to chase her along with other companions, among them the protagonist: Ismael. the history of the most famous sperm whale in modern literature. But he suggests doing it calmly, "in a month," to assimilate it and delight in its wealth. Beyond being an adventure novel, Moby Dick is, according to the critic, one of the most complicated books to read, due to the complexity of its language. Herman Melville (New York, 1819-1891) writes about his own experience, since he traveled for years as a crewman on several ships, including a whaler. He was also inspired by the case of a whaling ship from Nantucket (Massachusetts, United States), which was attacked by a white whale. This served to shape the adventure of Ismael, who once embarked discovered that the true intention of Ahab is none other than to hunt down the famous Moby Dick. The young man tells in flashback how he survived the beasts of the animal, many times compared to the Leviathan of the Bible. Melville published this novel in 1850, but like the rest of his work he passed without pain or glory and it took many years before he began to be considered one of the great writers of American symbolism. The author resorts to allegory and symbolism to represent in Moby Dick the nature that is beyond the reach of man and in Captain Ahab the anger and the determination to achieve an end, a goal in his life.

"Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall Street" is a short story by the American writer Herman Melville, first serialized anonymously in two parts in the November and December 1853 issues of Putnam''s Magazine, and reprinted with minor textual alterations in his The Piazza Tales in 1856. In the story, a Wall Street lawyer hires a new clerk who, after an initial bout of hard work, refuses to make copies or do any other task required of him, with the words "I would prefer not to."Numerous critical essays have been published about the story, which scholar Robert Milder describes as "unquestionably the masterpiece of the short fiction" in the Melville canon.

The narrator, an elderly lawyer who has a very comfortable business helping wealthy men deal with mortgages, title deeds, and bonds, relates the story of the strangest man he has ever known. The narrator already employs two scriveners, Nippers and Turkey. Nippers suffers from chronic indigestion, and Turkey is a drunk, but the office survives because in the mornings Turkey is sober even though Nippers is irritable, and in the afternoon Nippers has calmed down even though Turkey is drunk.

Moby-Dick by Herman Melville: first published in 1851, considered to be one of the Great American Novels and a treasure of world literature, one of the great epics in all of literature. The story tells the adventures of wandering sailor Ishmael, and his voyage on the whaleship Pequod, commanded by Captain Ahab. Ishmael soon learns that Ahab has one purpose on this voyage: to seek out Moby Dick, a ferocious, enigmatic white sperm whale. In a previous encounter, the whale destroyed Ahab''s boat and bit off his leg, which now drives Ahab to take revenge...

Ignoring prophecies of doom, the seafarer Ishmael joins the crew of a whaling expedition that is an obsession for the ship’s captain, Ahab. Once maimed by the White Whale, Moby Dick, Ahab has set out on a voyage of revenge. With godlike ferocity, he surges into dangerous waters-immune to the madness of his vision, refusing to be bested by the forces of nature.u003cbru003eAn exhilarating whaling yarn, an apocalyptic theodicy, a tragic confessional, and a profound allegory, Moby Dick encompasses all that it means to be human-from the physical and metaphysical to the spiritual and emotional. Full of strange wisdom and wild digressive energy, it’s a singular literary performance universally regarded as one of the great American novels.

Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall Street" (1853) is a short story by the American writer Herman Melville, first serialized anonymously in two parts in the November and December editions of Putnam''s Magazine, and reprinted with minor textual alterations in his The Piazza Tales in 1856. Numerous essays are published on what according to scholar Robert Milder "is unquestionably the masterpiece of the short fiction" in the Melville canon. The writing career of Herman Melville (1819 - 1891) peaked early, with his early novels, such as Typee becoming best sellers. By the mid-1850s his poularity declined sharply, and by the time he died he had been largely forgotten. Yet in time his novel Moby Dick came to be regarded as one of the finest works of American, and indeed world, literature, as was Billy Budd, which was not published until long after his death, in 1924.This version is a desktop production of 39 photocopied computer printed pages. Quite flimsy. While other editions are actual ''paperbacks'' as I identify them; they''re all going for less. Some, as ''Like New'' are going for $.01 in Amazon Marketplace Or new from Amazon for $4.00. Moral of m''story: Amazon has all kinds of great books, movies seemingly most everything else. At all prices. These days, frugality''s for everyone except the top 4%. Good idea to check buying choices. I just spent $6 more than I could''ve/should''ve/would''ve spent. As for this fine book itself: Too many Great Writers are ignored because they were first read centuries ago. Melville, Dickens, Mann and many more are out there waiting for us all. Not to mention European authors like Tolstoy, Gogol, Chekhov, Dostoevsky, Pushkin... and more incredible, readable and enjoyable Masters. I''ve trolled Asian authors too and found great reads. All, at Amazon of course.So getting worldly in your reading''s right for our millennium and your matter too. Read for not only what''s said but how it''s said. Those past masters have styles, diction and - for the Masters - brilliant, edifying and entertaining concepts and insights still fitting for today. SO SIX STARS for Bartleby''s story and one star for this flimsy edition. Nice cover art, thoug.The five (5) most effective words in the English Language are: "I would prefer not to." In the days before slow down strikes, job actions, featherbedding, etc. Bartleby had it pegged. Show up for work. Do a bit of good work (softening up the employer so to speak), and then proceed to wear said employer down while getting paid, having a rudimentary roof over one''s head, etc. It is akin to a sort of nonworking workfare state. Bartleby reminds one of the legendary "George Costanza" who even had a desk customized so that he could avoid work and still be present. I had not read "Bartleby" in at least forty years and in reading it all these decades later, one can appreciate the clear-headed genius of Melville. One even picks up on the mention of "red tape" which is used to [compress] "some papers." And we know that a reference to red tape today infers a situation in which something is tied up in paperwork and bound not to progress. The world of the daily worker has not come very far from Bartleby''s world and there are many of us who have been, are and will be Bartlebys. Most of our lives are spent in a condition of wanting to say, "I would prefer not to." To paraphrase Thoreau, the mass of men lead onerous lives.Avendo da sempre molto apprezzato questo racconto di Melville (che consiglio), ho deciso di acquistarlo come regalo per un amico, tuttavia una volta arrivato mi aspettavo qualcosa di più: la qualità è quella di un ebook stampato con una copertina flessibile.das zufallslayout ist eine absolute zumutung. das hat ein betrunkener, der sich noch dazu überhaupt nicht im benutzten programm auskannte (nehme an wohl wörd) layoutiert, per zufall dann noch ein paar bilder hineingeworfen.

Moby-Dick by Herman Melville

Moby-Dick; or, The Whale is an 1851 novel by American writer Herman Melville. The book is sailor Ishmael''s narrative of the obsessive quest of Ahab, captain of the whaling ship Pequod, for revenge on Moby Dick, the white whale that on the ship''s previous voyage bit off Ahab''s leg at the knee. A contribution to the literature of the American Renaissance, the work''s genre classifications range from late Romantic to early Symbolist. Moby-Dick was published to mixed reviews, was a commercial failure, and was out of print at the time of the author''s death in 1891. Its reputation as a "Great American Novel" was established only in the 20th century, after the centennial of its author''s birth. William Faulkner confessed he wished he had written the book himself, and D. H. Lawrence called it "one of the strangest and most wonderful books in the world" and "the greatest book of the sea ever written". Its opening sentence, "Call me Ishmael", is among world literature''s most famous.

The writing career of Herman Melville (1819 - 1891) peaked early, with his early novels, such as Typee becoming best sellers. By the mid-1850s his poularity declined sharply, and by the time he died he had been largely forgotten. Yet in time his novel Moby Dick came to be regarded as one of the finest works of American, and indeed world, literature, as was Billy Budd, which was not published until long after his death, in 1924.

Call me Ishmael. Some years ago-never mind how long precisely-having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world. It is a way I have of driving off the spleen and regulating the circulation. Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul; whenever I find myself involuntarily pausing before coffin warehouses, and bringing up the rear of every funeral I meet; and especially whenever my hypos get such an upper hand of me, that it requires a strong moral principle to prevent me from deliberately stepping into the street, and methodically knocking people''s hats off-then, I account it high time to get to sea as soon as I can. This is my substitute for pistol and ball. With a philosophical flourish Cato throws himself upon his sword; I quietly take to the ship. There is nothing surprising in this. If they but knew it, almost all men in their degree, some time or other, cherish very nearly the same feelings towards the ocean with me.There now is your insular city of the Manhattoes, belted round by wharves as Indian isles by coral reefs-commerce surrounds it with her surf. Right and left, the streets take you waterward. Its extreme downtown is the battery, where that noble mole is washed by waves, and cooled by breezes, which a few hours previous were out of sight of land. Look at the crowds of water-gazers there.Circumambulate the city of a dreamy Sabbath afternoon. Go from Corlears Hook to Coenties Slip, and from thence, by Whitehall, northward. What do you see?-Posted like silent sentinels all around the town, stand thousands upon thousands of mortal men fixed in ocean reveries. Some leaning against the spiles; some seated upon the pier-heads; some looking over the bulwarks of ships from China; some high aloft in the rigging, as if striving to get a still better seaward peep. But these are all landsmen; of week days pent up in lath and plaster-tied to counters, nailed to benches, clinched to desks. How then is this? Are the green fields gone? What do they here?But look! here come more crowds, pacing straight for the water, and seemingly bound for a dive. Strange! Nothing will content them but the extremest limit of the land; loitering under the shady lee of yonder warehouses will not suffice. No. They must get just as nigh the water as they possibly can without falling in. And there they stand-miles of them-leagues. Inlanders all, they come from lanes and alleys, streets and avenues-north, east, south, and west. Yet here they all unite. Tell me, does the magnetic virtue of the needles of the compasses of all those ships attract them thither?Once more. Say you are in the country; in some high land of lakes. Take almost any path you please, and ten to one it carries you down in a dale, and leaves you there by a pool in the stream. There is magic in it. Let the most absent-minded of men be plunged in his deepest reveries-stand that man on his legs, set his feet a-going, and he will infallibly lead you to water, if water there be in all that region. Should you ever be athirst in the great American desert, try this experiment, if your caravan happen to be supplied with a metaphysical professor. Yes, as every one knows, meditation and water are wedded for ever.But here is an artist. He desires to paint you the dreamiest, shadiest, quietest, most enchanting bit of romantic landscape in all the valley of the Saco. What is the chief element he employs? There stand his trees, each with a hollow trunk, as if a hermit and a crucifix were within; and here sleeps his meadow, and there sleep his cattle; and up from yonder cottage goes a sleepy smoke. Deep into distant woodlands winds a mazy way, reaching to overlapping spurs of mountains bathed in their hill-side blue.

This is the original version of BARTLEBY, THE SCRIVENER By Herman Melvillethe classic book.

The novel Moby Dick by Herman Melville is an epic tale of the voyage of the whaling ship the Pequod and its captain, Ahab, who relentlessly pursues the great Sperm Whale (the title character) during a journey around the world. The narrator of the novel is Ishmael, a sailor on the Pequod who undertakes the journey out of his affection for the sea.Moby Dick begins with Ishmael''s arrival in New Bedford as he travels toward Nantucket. He rests at the Spouter Inn in New Bedford, where he meets Queequeg, a harpooner from New Zealand who will also sail on the Pequod. Although Queequeg appears dangerous, he and Ishmael must share a bed together and the narrator quickly grows fond of the somewhat uncivilized harpooner. Queequeg is actually the son of a High Chief who left New Zealand because of his desire to learn among Christians. The next day, Ishmael attends a church service and listens to a sermon by Father Mapple, a renowned preacher who delivers a sermon considering Jonah and the whale that concludes that the tale is a lesson to preacher Truth in the face of Falsehood.On a schooner to Nantucket, Ishmael and Queequeg come across a local bumpkin who mocks Queequeg. However, when this bumpkin is swept overboard, Queequeg saves him. In Nantucket, Queequeg and Ishmael choose between three ships for a year journey, and decide upon the Pequod. The Captain of the Pequod, Peleg, is now retired, and merely owns the boat with another Quaker, Bildad. Peleg tells them of the new captain, Ahab, and immediately describes him as a grand and ungodly man. Before leaving for their voyage, Ishmael and Queequeg come across a stranger named Elijah who predicts disaster on their journey. Before leaving on the Pequod, Elijah again predicts disaster.Ishmael and Queequeg board the Pequod, where Captain Ahab is still unseen, secluded in his own cabin. Peleg and Bildad consult with Starbuck, the first mate. He is a Quaker and a Nantucket native who is quite practical. The second mate is Stubb, a Cape Cod native with a more jovial and carefree attitude. The third is Flask, a Martha''s Vineyard native with a pugnacious attitude. Melville introduces the rest of the crew, including the Indian harpooner Tashtego, the African harpooner Daggoo.Several days into the voyage, Ahab finally appears as a man seemingly made of bronze who stands on an ivory leg fashioned from whalebone. He eventually gets into a violent argument with Stubb when the second mate makes a joke at Ahab''s expense, and kicks him. This leads Stubb to dream of kicking Ahab''s ivory leg off, but Flask claims that the kick from Ahab is a sign of honor.At last, Ahab tells the crew of the Pequod to look for a white-headed whale with a wrinkled brow: Moby Dick, the legendary whale that took Ahab''s leg. Starbuck tells Ahab that his obsession with Moby Dick is madness, but Ahab claims that all things are masks and there is some unknown reasoning behind that mask that man must strike through. For Ahab, Moby Dick is that mask. Ahab himself seems to recognize his own madness. Starbuck begins to worry that the ship is overmatched by the mad captain and knows that he will see an impious end to Ahab.While Queequeg and Ishmael weave a sword-mat for lashing to their boat, the Pequod soon comes upon a whale and Ahab orders his crew to their boats. Ahab orders his special crew, which Ishmael compares to "phantoms," to their boats. The crew attacks a whale and Queequeg does strike it, but this is insufficient to kill it. Among the "phantoms" in the boat is Fedallah, a sinister Parsee.After passing the Cape of Good Hope, the Pequod comes across the Goney (Albatross), another ship on its voyage. Ahab asks whether they have seen Moby Dick as the ships pass one another, but Ahab cannot hear his answer. The mere passing of the ships is unorthodox behavior, for ships will generally have a ''gam,'' a meeting between two ships. The Pequod does have a gam with the next ship it encounters, the Town-Ho.