How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
"There is a murderous appearance about the blood-stained decks, and the huge masses of flesh and blubber lying here and there, and ferocity in the looks of the men." (3.39)
At times, the whale hunt seems like some sort of dark, mystical ritual, presumably to summon evil whale ghosts from the future. Or something like that. Either way, we see the Essex transformed from a humble sailing ship into a brutal butchery in a matter of moments.
Quote #5
With a tremendous cracking and splintering of oak, the whale struck the ship just beneath the anchor secured at the cathead on the port bow. (5.25)
Suddenly, whales are the ones committing the violence. Holy smokes. This is a pretty big shocker to the crew of the Essex: if sperm whales become as violent as their hunters, then it's not going to be long until every single whaleship is crushed to dust. After all, these whale-dudes are so big that they make Andre the Giant look like Ant Man.
Quote #6
"He came directly from the shoal [...] in which we had struck three of his companions, as if fired with revenge for their sufferings." (5.57)
Well, isn't that something. Unlike the crew of the Essex, the mighty sperm whale only becomes violent when there's just cause—in this case, when his friends and family are in jeopardy. Doesn't that sound a lot more civilized than a gaggle of brutes traipsing about, looking for giant mammals to butcher?