Why does Starbuck continue to follow Ahab? How valid is the cause for mutiny--on the Pequod, the Town-Ho, or in any of the other ships? Is it moral for sailors to kill the captain over disagreements on how the voyage should be conducted?
5 comments:
Anonymous
said...
Starbuck continues to follow Ahab because he is too principled, or weak, for murder and would not be able to stand restraining Ahab physically due to how Ahab would thus behave. These two things were evident in Chapter 123 "The Musket." Personally, I don't think it moral to kill the captain over disagreements, even when the lives of thirty or more are at risk; instead, I prefer just physically restraining him or incapacitating him in so way so as to give control of the ship to the mates and sailors. You could always put Ahab in a hold instead of lashing him to a mast.
I think that Starbuck's beliefs as a Quaker provide the primary reasons for his staying with Ahab. Since pacifism is strongly encouraged in Quaker society, Starbuck will most likely never actually rebel against Ahab no matter how much he disagrees with the mission. Although he fears for his life and worries that he may never see his wife and child again, Starbuck pities Ahab for his madness.
Starbuck has shown signs of weakness. He went below deck to wake Ahab and saw the rifle. He contemplated killing Ahab, but was not committed to it because of his strong values. If he did kill Ahab the book would have ended sooner and he would be enjoying a grande, raspberry white mocha about now.
I also agree that Starbuck is weak and unable to stand up for himself. But he is the first mate and I think that he believes that it is his duty to see Ahab's quest through to the end. It is wrong to have a mutiny. Ahab's intentions were clear and everyone agreed to stay onboard after learning about the whale. Anyone who leads a mutiny is unworthy and cannot call themselves a sailor.
Starbuck, as chief mate, doesn't want to get shown up by others. If the other status-less sailors were to locate Moby before him, he'd be highly humiliated.
5 comments:
Starbuck continues to follow Ahab because he is too principled, or weak, for murder and would not be able to stand restraining Ahab physically due to how Ahab would thus behave. These two things were evident in Chapter 123 "The Musket." Personally, I don't think it moral to kill the captain over disagreements, even when the lives of thirty or more are at risk; instead, I prefer just physically restraining him or incapacitating him in so way so as to give control of the ship to the mates and sailors. You could always put Ahab in a hold instead of lashing him to a mast.
MobysEye
killee_fishee writes:
I think that Starbuck's beliefs as a Quaker provide the primary reasons for his staying with Ahab. Since pacifism is strongly encouraged in Quaker society, Starbuck will most likely never actually rebel against Ahab no matter how much he disagrees with the mission. Although he fears for his life and worries that he may never see his wife and child again, Starbuck pities Ahab for his madness.
Starbuck has shown signs of weakness. He went below deck to wake Ahab and saw the rifle. He contemplated killing Ahab, but was not committed to it because of his strong values. If he did kill Ahab the book would have ended sooner and he would be enjoying a grande, raspberry white mocha about now.
R@u!+
I also agree that Starbuck is weak and unable to stand up for himself. But he is the first mate and I think that he believes that it is his duty to see Ahab's quest through to the end. It is wrong to have a mutiny. Ahab's intentions were clear and everyone agreed to stay onboard after learning about the whale. Anyone who leads a mutiny is unworthy and cannot call themselves a sailor.
Call Me Moby
Starbuck, as chief mate, doesn't want to get shown up by others. If the other status-less sailors were to locate Moby before him, he'd be highly humiliated.
~*~*~*~*~*Snowflake*~*~*~*~*~
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