Moby Dick
Chapter 47: The Mat-Maker
by Herman Melville
The narrator describes downtime on the ship. The lull in the action does not last for long.
The narrator describes downtime on the ship. The lull in the action does not last for long.
Thoreau observes and documents the geography of Walden Pond as well as other neighboring bodies of water.
The three men find themselves in strange, but hospitable surroundings.
Frederick Douglass speaks at the unveiling of the Lincoln Monument (now known as the Emancipation Memorial) in Washington, D.C., April 14, 1876. The monument was paid for solely with funds donated from freed slaves.
Aunt Polly catches Tom misbehaving, but finds it hard to punish her late sisters child. Tom's fight with a stranger in town causes him to temporarily lose his freedom. The reader is introduced to Tom's half brother Sid.
Land and Aronnax discuss the possible heading of the Nautilus. Captain Nemo and Aronnax discuss the dangers of the Red Sea.
Ishmael explains the use of ambergris, as well as the misconception of whales smelling foul.
Siegfried apprentices with Mimer, and while there forges a great sword and hears tales of his ancestors.
Following a valiant fight against the Sioux's attack, Phileas leads a party to rescue the captured prisoners. Phileas' successful rescue of Passepartout is greatly received by Aouda. Phileas plans the next leg of his trip.
Marianne’s transformation seems complete at this point; her affections for Willoughby are put to rest, and even her mother, who was once fond of him, has decided to forgive and forget. It seems at this point that Elinor’s hopes for happiness are destroyed, as she does not have a suitor as Marianne still does.
Captain Pratt sets off on an adventure circling the globe.
Ishmael retells a story from the a gam with the whaling ship Town-Ho.
Peggotty takes David to Yarmouth where he meets his nephew and niece. Before returning home, Peggotty tells David of his mothers marriage.
The narrator describes the land along the St. Johns River in full detail.
Miriam talks to the model of death. She fears he might be crazy.
A possible sighting of Moby Dick is only a false alarm.
The author discovers and enchanted island of the Fays and witnessess the demise of a Fay.
Dantes, in a disguise of an Englishman, makes inquires about Morrel and Son, in order to help Morrel through his bankruptcy.
After a blissful two weeks, Jane encounters Rochester in the gardens. He invites her to walk with him, and Jane, caught off guard, accepts. Rochester confides that he has finally decided to marry Blanche Ingram and tells Jane that he knows of an available governess position in Ireland that she could take. Jane expresses her distress at the great distance that separates Ireland from Thornfield. The two seat themselves on a bench at the foot of the chestnut tree, and Rochester says: “we will sit there in peace to-night, though we should never more be destined to sit there together.” He tells Jane that he feels as though they are connected by a “cord of communion.” Jane sobs—“for I could repress what I endured no longer,” she tells us, “I was obliged to yield.” Jane confesses her love for Rochester, and to her surprise, he asks her to be his wife. She suspects that he is teasing her, but he convinces her otherwise by admitting that he only brought up marrying Blanche in order to arouse Jane’s jealousy. Convinced and elated, Jane accepts his proposal. A storm breaks, and the newly engaged couple hurries indoors through the rain. Rochester helps Jane out of her wet coat, and he seizes the opportunity to kiss her. Jane looks up to see Mrs. Fairfax watching, astonished. That night, a bolt of lightning splits the same chestnut tree under which Rochester and Jane had been sitting that evening.
Father Mapple comes to the pulpit.
The Yankee is comfortable in his new position, but has no title. He gains a title from the people, but is angered at the slavery and rule of the king. He likes the king, but does not respect him.
Ishmael explains the hierarchy of the whaling industry.
Sir Pitt and Lady Jane visit the Rawdon Crawleys in London. Rebecca's attention to Sir Pitt does not sit well with Lady Jane.