Ishmael's fear of Queequeg

What I found so interesting about Ishmael’s feelings towards Queequeg is that they could be interpreted as a representation of the feelings of society at the time. Whether this was Melville’s intention or not, I found it echoed the way many white Europeans and Americans viewed people from other cultures, especially people of a ‘dark complexion’.

Ishmael’s initial reaction simply to Queequeg’s appearance is that of fear, he is terrified at the thought of having to share a bed with him and even considers jumping out the window. Watching Queequeg’s strange prayer before the wooden idol did not fill Ishmael with fascination or interest at observing another cultures practice, but only increased his fear and discomfort. Although Ishmael has not even spoken or interacted with Queequeg yet, he has already formed an opinion of him from witnessing his unusual customs, and becomes increasingly scared of him.

The only thing which justifies Ishmael’s fear is the heads Queequeg is out selling, implying his cannibalism. However, this is mentioned but not elaborated on and does not appear to be the main source of Ishmael’s anxieties, which makes me question if it is only so terrifying when combined with Queequeg’s shocking cultural differences. Would Ishmael be as terrified if a white Christian had come in with these heads and said a prayer before a crucifix? This cannibalism could represent how many white Europeans and American’s viewed Africans and Native Americans as savages, due to a lack of understanding of their culture.

Ishmael comes to realize that; ‘It’s only his outside; a man can be honest in any sort of skin’ (pg.34).

In the morning Ishmael notes how polite Queequeg is, and after actually interacting with Queequeg he begins to view him as more civilized and considerate.  This highlights how often judgments can be wrong, and Ishmael’s initial fear was partly unjustified. This is similar to the way white Europeans and American’s first judged other cultures, Queequeg’s kindness and civility shows how deceiving first impressions can be. This initial judgment becomes even more obviously incorrect when Ishmael and Queequeg develop a relationship. Ishmael even begins to participate in some of Queequeg’s customs, which only recently had seemed so strange and frightening to him.

This represents and reinforces that idea that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, initial judgments are not always correct, and observing and understanding unfamiliar cultures can reveal that they are not always as strange as you first perceive them to be.