The concept of warmth as a source of ultimate pleasure is explored in a passage from Herman Melville's "Moby-Dick." The text illustrates a profound connection between the self and the surrounding environment, specifically the experience of being enveloped in warmth while outside temperatures are cold. It suggests that the comfort derived from warmth can lead to a state of unity with one's surroundings, akin to the sensation of being cradled in a blanket on a chilly day.

This metaphor of being like "warm dirt in a polar crystal" evokes imagery of tranquility and contentment. It emphasizes the contrast between the inner warmth of the body and the cold exterior, highlighting a sense of security and bliss that comes from this enveloping warmth. In this state, one's perception is transformed, creating a joyful escape from the harshness of the outside world.