@ElleGray
I almost wish the Richard Ellis book The Great Sperm Whale had a cover like this as well. (It's mostly about the scientific and natural history view of sperm whales, but it also discusses Melville's book and its influence at length, although perhaps too much length.)
Captain Ahab was obsessed with killing the whale, who hadnt died quickly enough, and whose attempts to live and flee had taken his own leg, and killed other hunters. Being white it was memorable, and so not just another whale fighting for her life, but an individual. Responsible.
Ahab's obsession did not kill the whale, Ahab died. Along with all but one of the crew.
Add comment