Captain Ahab's Quest In Moby Dick

In Herman Melville’s timeless novel, Moby Dick, Captain Ahab of the ship Pequod convinces his crew to join him on a quest for revenge against Moby Dick, the whale that devoured his leg, which ends in the death of every crew member but one. To Ahab’s chief mate, Starbuck, this quest seems dangerous and impossible, but the rest of the crew enthusiastically takes part due to Ahab’s mastery of persuasive tactics. In chapter 36, “The Quarter-Deck,” from pages 232-235, Captain Ahab uses a combination of paternalistic, warm language towards his crew and appeals to their sense of pity to convince them to hunt Moby Dick alongside him. As he begins to introduce the idea of the hunt to his crew, Ahab speaks to them affectionately. Ahab begins to question the crew about whaling, and when given correct answers, he responds with “wild approval in his tones,” as the crew “became so excited at such seemingly purposeless questions” (Melville 232). He also refers to them as “‘my boys,’” and flatters them into compliance, saying, “‘I think ye do look brave’” (233, 235). Ahab forms his phrases approvingly, flatteringly, and enthusiastically — almost as a father speaks to a son. This fosters a desire to aid Ahab in the crew, and they respond to him with equal enthusiasm. …show more content…
In response to Starbuck asking if Moby Dick took his leg, Ahab “shouted with a terrific, loud, animal sob, like that of a heart-stricken moose,” and reveals that “‘it was that accursed white whale that…made a poor pegging lubber of me for ever and a day” (234). Ahab hyperbolically describes his experience with the whale, painting it as a moment that completely destroyed his ability to live his life happily and fully. This exaggerated language and description of his experiences inspires a sense of pity for Ahab in the crew, and spurs them to