Q is for Queequeg

Letter Q already?

Is this word is unfamiliar to you:  Pequod? Ahab…

These are words from the classic, possibly one of the best literary works of the 19^th century:  Moby Dick, written by Herman Melville and published in 1851.

This post is about Queequeg, a startling and unusual man to be in the Massachusetts area: exotic, extremely tall, covered with tattooes, and fierce. 

Although Queequeg is not the main character, he is essential to the theme of diversity in the crew (no one else like him; in fact, everyone is scared of him).  His only friend is Ishmael: only to him is Queequeg loyal and protective. 

Ishmael is a young man, eager to go whaling. At a boarding house before sailing, Queequeg and Ishmael are forced to unknowingly share a bed with each other.

Friends ultimately

After some nervous and possibly deadly moments, they develop a friendship; this friendship, coupled with pure luck, saves Ishmael’s life.

The most famous and exquisite opening words of any book are these:

Call me Ishmael.

Raise your pewter mug to Queequeg!

and to the letter "Q"

This video clip is about 12 minutes long, but Queequeg and Ishmael are introduced in the first minutes. Worthwhile minutes.

Please let me know if the video does not come up! This is the only one I was able to insert.