Chapter 86 of Moby Dick by Herman Melville focuses on the anatomy and significance of the sperm whale's tail. This chapter explores the tail's immense power, structure, and its role in the whale's movements and interactions. Melville describes five distinct motions of the tail, emphasizing its unique propulsion method compared to other sea creatures. The chapter also reflects on the beauty and grace of the whale's tail, drawing comparisons to strength and artistry in nature. Ideal for literature enthusiasts and students studying classic American literature, this chapter delves into themes of power, beauty, and the natural world.

Key Points

  • Analyzes the anatomical structure of the sperm whale's tail and its significance in propulsion.
  • Describes five distinct motions of the whale's tail, including its use in swimming and combat.
  • Explores the relationship between strength and beauty in the whale's tail movements.
  • Compares the whale's tail to the elephant's trunk, highlighting their unique functionalities.
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Moby Dick
By
Herman Melville
Chapter 86: The Tail
Other poets have warbled the praises of the soft eye of the antelope, and
the lovely plumage of the bird that never alights; less celestial, I
celebrate a tail.
Reckoning the largest sized Sperm Whale’s tail to begin at that point of
the trunk where it tapers to about the girth of a man, it comprises upon
its upper surface alone, an area of at least fifty square feet. The compact
round body of its root expands into two broad, firm, flat palms or flukes,
gradually shoaling away to less than an inch in thickness. At the crotch
or junction, these flukes slightly overlap, then sideways recede from
each other like wings, leaving a wide vacancy between. In no living
thing are the lines of beauty more exquisitely defined than in the
crescentic borders of these flukes. At its utmost expansion in the full
grown whale, the tail will considerably exceed twenty feet across.
The entire member seems a dense webbed bed of welded sinews; but cut
into it, and you find that three distinct strata compose it:- upper, middle,
and lower. The fibres in the upper and lower layers, are long and
horizontal; those of the middle one, very short, and running crosswise
between the outside layers. This triune structure, as much as anything
else, imparts power to the tail. To the student of old Roman walls, the
middle layer will furnish a curious parallel to the thin course of tiles
always alternating with the stone in those wonderful relics of the
antique, and which undoubtedly contribute so much to the great strength
of the masonry.
But as if this vast local power in the tendinous tail were not enough, the
whole bulk of the leviathan is knit over with a warp and woof of
muscular fibres and filaments, which passing on either side the loins and
running down into the flukes, insensibly blend with them, and largely
contribute to their might; so that in the tail the confluent measureless
force of the whole whale seems concentrated to a point. Could
annihilation occur to matter, this were the thing to do it.
Nor does this- its amazing strength, at all tend to cripple the graceful
flexion of its motions; where infantileness of ease undulates through a
Titanism of power. On the contrary, those motions derive their most
appalling beauty from it. Real strength never impairs beauty or harmony,
but it often bestows it; and in everything imposingly beautiful, strength
has much to do with the magic. Take away the tied tendons that all over
seem bursting from the marble in the carved Hercules, and its charm
would be gone. As devout Eckerman lifted the linen sheet from the
naked corpse of Goethe, he was overwhelmed with the massive chest of
the man, that seemed as a Roman triumphal arch. When Angelo paints
even God the Father in human form, mark what robustness is there. And
whatever they may reveal of the divine love in the Son, the soft, curled,
hermaphroditical Italian pictures, in which his idea has been most
successfully embodied; these pictures, so destitute as they are of all
brawniness, hint nothing of any power, but the mere negative, feminine
one of submission and endurance, which on all hands it is conceded,
form the peculiar practical virtues of his teachings.
Such is the subtle elasticity of the organ I treat of, that whether wielded
in sport, or in earnest, or in anger, whatever be the mood it be in, its
flexions are invariably marked by exceeding grace. Therein no fairy’s
arm can transcend it.
Moby Dick: Chapter 86 by Herman Melville
2
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Five great motions are peculiar to it. First, when used as a fin for
progression; Second, when used as a mace in battle; Third, in sweeping;
Fourth, in lobtailing; Fifth, in peaking flukes.
First: Being horizontal in its position, the Leviathan’s tail acts in a
different manner from the tails of all other sea creatures. It never
wriggles. In man or fish, wriggling is a sign of inferiority. To the whale
his tail is the sole means of propulsion. Scroll-wise coiled forwards
beneath the body, and then rapidly sprung backwards, it is this which
gives that singular darting, leaping motion to the monster when furiously
swimming. His side-fins only serve to steer by.
Second: It is a little significant, that while one sperm whale only fights
another sperm whale with his head and jaw, nevertheless, in his conflicts
with man, he chiefly and contemptuously uses his tail. In striking at a
boat, he swiftly curves away his flukes from it, and the blow is only
inflicted by the recoil. If it be made in the unobstructed air, especially if
it descend to its mark, the stroke is then simply irresistible. No ribs of
man or boat can withstand it. Your only salvation lies in eluding it; but if
it comes sideways through the opposing water, then partly owing to the
light buoyancy of the whale-boat, and the elasticity of its materials, a
cracked rib or a dashed plank or two, a sort of stitch in the side, is
generally the most serious result. These submerged side blows are so
often received in the fishery, that they are accounted mere child’s play.
Some one strips off a frock, and the hole is stopped.
Third: I cannot demonstrate it, but it seems to me, that in the whale the
sense of touch is concentrated in the tail; for in this respect there is a
delicacy in it only equalled by the daintiness of the elephant’s trunk.
This delicacy is chiefly evinced in the action of sweeping, when in
maidenly gentleness the whale with a certain soft slowness moves his
immense flukes side to side upon the surface of the sea; and if he feel but
a sailor’s whisker, woe to that sailor, whiskers and all. What tenderness
there is in that preliminary touch! Had this tail any prehensile power, I
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FAQs

What are the five motions of the sperm whale's tail?
The five motions of the sperm whale's tail include its use as a fin for propulsion, as a mace in battle, for sweeping, lobtailing, and peaking flukes. The tail acts horizontally, propelling the whale forward with a powerful, coiled motion. In combat, the whale uses its tail to strike with immense force, often inflicting serious damage to boats. Sweeping motions demonstrate the whale's sensitivity, while lobtailing showcases its playful nature. Finally, the peaking of flukes before a dive presents a majestic sight, symbolizing the whale's power and grace.
How does Melville describe the beauty of the whale's tail?
Melville emphasizes the exquisite beauty of the sperm whale's tail, noting its crescentic borders and the harmonious blend of strength and grace in its movements. He argues that true strength enhances beauty rather than detracts from it, drawing parallels to art and nature. The tail's design allows for both powerful propulsion and elegant flexion, making it a symbol of the whale's majesty. Melville's poetic language captures the awe-inspiring sight of the tail as it breaches the surface, likening it to a divine gesture towards the heavens.
What significance does the tail hold in the context of the whale's anatomy?
In the context of the whale's anatomy, the tail is crucial for propulsion and maneuverability in the water. Its unique structure, composed of three distinct layers, contributes to its immense strength and flexibility. The tail not only serves as the primary means of movement but also plays a vital role in the whale's interactions with its environment. Melville highlights how the tail's power can be both a tool for survival and a means of artistic expression in the whale's movements.
What comparisons does Melville make between the whale's tail and other creatures?
Melville compares the sperm whale's tail to the trunk of an elephant, noting the differences in their functionalities and strengths. While the elephant's trunk is delicate and prehensile, the whale's tail is a powerful appendage used for propulsion and combat. He argues that the whale's tail, in terms of strength, far surpasses the elephant's trunk, illustrating the sheer force it can exert. This comparison serves to highlight the unique adaptations of each creature to their respective environments.
How does the chapter reflect on themes of power and beauty in nature?
Chapter 86 reflects on the themes of power and beauty by illustrating how the sperm whale's tail embodies both qualities. Melville argues that true beauty is often intertwined with strength, as seen in the graceful movements of the whale's tail. The chapter suggests that nature's most imposing creatures also possess an inherent elegance, challenging the notion that power must be brutish. Through poetic descriptions, Melville invites readers to appreciate the aesthetic qualities of the whale's tail as a representation of the majesty of the natural world.
What literary techniques does Melville use in this chapter?
Melville employs vivid imagery and metaphorical language to convey the grandeur of the sperm whale's tail. His use of similes and comparisons enriches the text, allowing readers to visualize the tail's movements and significance. The chapter is infused with a sense of reverence for nature, as Melville draws connections between the whale's tail and broader themes of strength and beauty. Additionally, his reflective tone encourages readers to ponder the deeper meanings behind the whale's anatomy and its place in the natural order.

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