An Analysis of
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The Castaway
An Analysis of Chapter 93
Tone
The Tone Is Tragic And Sobering, With A Contemplative And Somber Mood As It Explores Themes Of Abandonment, Humanity, And Madness.
Basic Stats
| Intensity | Clarity | Conflict | Resolution | Pacing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thrilling - (4) | Clear - (4) | Hostile - (4) | A little - (2) | Quick - (4) |
Basically...
Poor Pip, the little African American boy and the least significant member of the Pequod's crew, falls overboard during a whale hunt, and after being temporarily saved, he jumps again and is abandoned, eventually losing his sanity.
In more detail...
Chapter 93 details a tragic turn of events for Pip, a young African American boy on the Pequod who serves as a ship-keeper. Due to an injury to Stubb's after-oarsman, Pip temporarily fills in during a whale hunt. His first time out, he's nervous but manages without mishap. On his second lowering, he becomes frightened and leaps out of the boat, getting tangled in the whale line. Tashtego is ready to cut him loose which would lead to his death, but Stubb orders to save the whale at the cost of abandoning Pip. Pip is temporarily saved but haunted by the experience. Later, he jumps out of the boat again, this time he is left to the mercy of the sea. Though the ship eventually rescues him, the ordeal leaves Pip mentally shattered, driven to an insanity that his shipmates view as a profound, if incomprehensible, wisdom.
Characters
- Pip
- About - Pip, a young African American boy, fills in for an injured oarsman during a whale hunt. He panics and leaps out of the boat, becoming temporarily entangled with the whale line. He is saved once but ultimately jumps again, leading to his abandonment and resulting insanity.
- Personality Traits - Bright, genial, and tender-hearted with a previously merry disposition, however, his experiences on the Pequod, and specifically the whale hunts, leave him traumatized and eventually insane.
- Physical Characteristics - Described metaphorically as a 'black pony' with an 'ebon head', Pip is small and sprightly of figure.
- Character Connections
- Stubb - Stubb is Pip's captain who makes the fateful decision that leads to Pip's second abandonment in the ocean.
- Tashtego - Tashtego, standing in the bow of the whaleboat, is prepared to cut Pip loose for the sake of the hunt, reflecting the crew's often callous nature.
- Dough-Boy - Not physically present in the chapter but compared to Pip in appearance as a contrast.
- The Pequod's crew - His presence and ultimate abandonment serve as a grim reminder of the crew's priorities and attitudes toward the value of human life.
- Stubb
- About - Stubb, the second mate of the Pequod, loses his after-oarsman to an injury and has him temporarily replaced by Pip. He displays an impassive and utilitarian attitude; when Pip panics and jeopardizes the whale hunt, Stubb gives the command that prioritizes the whale over Pip's life.
- Personality Traits - On the exterior, he appears business-like and even half-humorous, though his decisions reveal a deeper ruthlessness and prioritization of profit over people.
- Physical Characteristics - Not described in this chapter.
- Character Connections
- Pip - The captain who ultimately commands not to rescue Pip, leading to Pip's psychological break.
- Tashtego
- About - Tashtego, the Indian harpooneer on the Pequod, is present on the boat during Pip's jump. He initially shows his willingness to sacrifice Pip for the hunt but Pip's life is momentarily valued higher by Stubb's command.
- Personality Traits - Fiery, immersed in the hunt, and displays a contempt for Pip as a 'poltroon', indicating a harshness and insensitivity to his fellow crew member's fear.
- Physical Characteristics - Not explicitly described in this chapter, but as a harpooneer, likely to be strong and formidable.
- Character Connections
- Pip - Contemptuously ready to cut Pip away during the whale chase.