The Tone Oscillates Between Somber And Contemplative, As Seen With Ahab, And Lighthearted And Humorous, Especially In The Exchanges Involving Stubb And The Cook, Fleece.

The crew tows Stubb's whale to the Pequod, where it is secured for the night. Stubb revels in victory and enjoys a whale-steak dinner, while sharks voraciously feast on the whale's carcass alongside the ship.

After the successful hunt, the Pequod's crew engages in the strenuous task of towing Stubb's whale through the calm sea. Ahab makes a brief appearance to order the securing of the whale before retiring to his cabin. Despite the successful hunt, Ahab seems dissatisfied, fixated on the goal of killing Moby Dick. Stubb, the second mate, consumed by a boisterous and good-natured excitement, takes charge of securing the whale for the night and later indulges his fondness for whale meat. A detailed process is described for securing the whale by its tail, which requires ingenuity due to the tail's sinking. That night, Stubb commands the cook, Fleece, to cut a steak from the whale, leading to a humorous interaction. Stubb critiques the cook's preparation and gives a sermon-like lecture on how to properly cook a steak, while Fleece delivers a sermon to the feeding sharks, illustrating the chaotic yet communal nature of life aboard the ship.