Queepeg is a very informative character in the first twenty
chapters of the book. I think his character allows Melville to help describe
the setting and other characters within the context the story is told. For
instance, Queepeg is described as a “savage” by Ishmael, which allows the
reader to assume Ishmael must be a standard white Christian. Also, when in
Nantucket the people of the town react in a shocking manner at seeing the
closeness of Queepeg and Ishmael’s relationship.
Queepeg’s impact
on Ishmael is the most important part about his character in the beginning
chapters of the text. Ishmael starts off being extremely weary that he may have
to share a bed with a man of color, but eventually finds that their difference
in skin color does not matter. While this transformation is not the major goal
of the text, I think it will continue to be a very important transformation to
some of the key themes throughout Melville’s story.
I agree that Queepeg serves as an informative character. While at first he is regarded as being strange and fearful, simply because he is different, he and Ishmael become close friends. As a side story, Queepeg is able to break down some of Ishmael’s stereotypes by defying them. Also, Queepeg is kind of mysterious and serves as a point of interest throughout the novel by being a man who is able to cross many of the borders set up by society. He is many things at once and he is able to exist that way. Instead of conforming to the belief that he must be one thing he is able to live in between different cultures and belief systems and is content with his life.
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