Ishmael describes the dinner habits of the captain and three first mates of the ship. During these solemn, silent dinners, Ahab presides over the table, and serves each man his food. Although they have not been ordered not to, none of the men speaks or helps themselves to anything on the table. Ishmael seems particularly to pity Flask who is served last, and must be the first to leave the table. Flask admits these meals are the punishment for being selected as an officer. Although Flask has outward importance, he can never get completely full in the time he is allotted for meals. Flask wishes for the days when he dined with the other sailors and was allowed to eat his fill.
After the captain and first mates finish their dinner and leave the.....
This is a free excerpt of 135 words. This section contains 703 words. This
study guide contains 41,459 words (approx. 138 pages at 300
words per page).
Read the rest of this Literature Guide with our Moby Dick Access Pass.
