Moby-Dich ch. 94-97

ch. 94:
This chapter fits into the idea of queer theory when Ishmael is talking about squeezing the lumps out of the spermaceti. He talks about the aroma of the sperm and how it feels to be squeezing the hands of his fellow whalemen. He talks about how he is "looking into their eyes sentimentally" almost like he gets a little drunk from the sperm.

ch. 95:
At the end of this chapter, Ishmael refers to the mincer as being like an orator. It fits into the theme of whaling being a religion to these men when Melville tells us about how the whale fat has to be cut as thin as the pages in a bible in order to get the most oil out of them.

ch. 96:
Later in this chapter, the whaleship is alluded to being like a war ship. The whalers are the soldiers who are fighting a constant battle against the whales, but also against socitey, which rejects them at the same time that it accepts what comes from their hard work.

ch. 97:
Again, at the beginning of this chapter, there is the theme of whaling as a religion. Ishmael says, "the whaleman, as he seeks the food of light, so he lives in light." This could be compared to what is called the light of God, and how those who are serving him are always in his light and recieving gifts from him.