good v. evil

Throughout the novel, the crew provide a sharp contrast to Ahab, portraying good v. evil. Ahab, as we know is mad over finding the white whale however members of the crew repeatedly emerge on separate occasions to provide opposition to the captain, sometimes vocally, but sometimes just in his thought. In the second part of the book we see Ahab becoming increasingly deranged. Chapter 99 is one such example with Starbuck and Ahab's interpretations of the doubloon. Ahab interprets the doubloon saying, "There's something ever egotistical in mountain-tops and towers, and all other grand and lofty things; look here, - three peaks as proud as Lucifer. The firm tower, that is Ahab; the volcano, that is Ahab; the courageous, the undaunted, and victorious fowl, that, too, is Ahab; all are Ahab; and this round gold is but the image of the rounder globe....". In contrast, Starbuck interprets the doubloon saying, "A dark valley between three mighty, heaven-abiding peaks, that almost seem the Trinity, in some faint earthly symbol. So in this vale of Death, God girds us round; and over all our gloom, the sun of Righteousness still shines a beacon and a hope." Ahab personifies the coin to represent his madness. His references to Lucifer make us think that he has made a pact with the Devil in order to find the white whale. In contrast, Starbuck's interpretation of the doubloon is serene and he sees its images in a religious manner. The contrast between Ahab and Starbuck's interpretations gives us insight into Ahab's transformation throughout the journey. From obsession, Ahab has now transformed into evil, associating himself with Lucifer.