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...then the rushing Pequod, freighted with savages, and laden with fire, and burning a corpse, and plunging into that blackness of darkness, seemed the material counterpart of her monomaniac commander's soul.
Herman Melville Moby-Dick, or, the Whale
by Herman Melville
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The quote depicts the Pequod, a whaling ship, as a dark and chaotic force, mirroring its captain's obsessive personality. The ship is described as being filled with "savages," symbolizing a wild and untamed nature, while the mention of fire and a burning corpse evokes images of destruction and death. This imagery suggests a deep connection between the ship and Captain Ahab's turbulent inner state.

The phrase "blackness of darkness" emphasizes the ominous and foreboding atmosphere surrounding the Pequod's journey. It highlights Ahab's descent into madness, illustrating how his monomania consumes both him and the vessel he commands, creating a powerful parallel between the external journey and his internal struggles. This underscores the darker themes of obsession and the consequences of pursuing vengeance at all costs.

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Moby-Dick, or, the Whale
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Herman Melville
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Other quotes in Moby-Dick, or, the Whale

The ship was top heavy as a dinnerless student with his head full of Aristotle.
Herman Melville Moby-Dick, or, the Whale
The ship was top heavy as a dinnerless student with his head full of Aristotle.
I wonder, Flask, whether the world is anchored anywhere; if she is, she swings with an uncommon long cable, though.
Herman Melville Moby-Dick, or, the Whale
I wonder, Flask, whether the world is anchored anywhere; if she is, she swings with an uncommon long cable, though.
Oh, trebly hooped and welded hip of power! Oh, high aspiring, rainbowed jet!-that one strives, this one jettest all in vain! In vain, oh whale, dost thou seek intercedings with yon all-quickening sun, that only calls forth life, but gives it not again. Yet dost thou, darker half, rock me with a prouder, if a darker faith All thy unnamable imminglings float beneath me here; I am buoyed by breaths of once living things, exhaled as air, but water now.
Herman Melville Moby-Dick, or, the Whale
Oh, trebly hooped and welded hip of power! Oh, high aspiring, rainbowed jet!-that one strives, this one jettest all in vain! In vain, oh whale, dost thou seek intercedings with yon all-quickening sun, that only calls forth life, but gives it not again. Yet dost thou, darker half, rock me with a prouder, if a darker faith All thy unnamable imminglings float beneath me here; I am buoyed by breaths of once living things, exhaled as air, but water now.
Adverse winds are holding mad Christmas in him, boys.
Herman Melville Moby-Dick, or, the Whale
Adverse winds are holding mad Christmas in him, boys.
If this world were an infinite plan and sailing to the East we could always reach new distances and discover sweeter and newer things than all the cyclades or the islands of King Solomon, then the journey would contain a promise. But, in chanting those distant mysteries we dream of, or in the tormenting hunting of that demonic ghost who sooner or later swims before all human hearts, hunting for such things around this globe, or or lead us to empty labyrinths or they leave us submerged halfway.
Herman Melville Moby-Dick, or, the Whale
If this world were an infinite plan and sailing to the East we could always reach new distances and discover sweeter and newer things than all the cyclades or the islands of King Solomon, then the journey would contain a promise. But, in chanting those distant mysteries we dream of, or in the tormenting hunting of that demonic ghost who sooner or later swims before all human hearts, hunting for such things around this globe, or or lead us to empty labyrinths or they leave us submerged halfway.
And if we obey God, we must disobey ourselves; and it is in disobeying ourselves, wherein the hardness of obeying God consists.
Herman Melville Moby-Dick, or, the Whale
And if we obey God, we must disobey ourselves; and it is in disobeying ourselves, wherein the hardness of obeying God consists.
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Other quotes in darkness

Oh, we can populate the dark with horrors, even we who think ourselves informed and sure, believing nothing we cannot measure or weigh. I knew beyond all doubt that the dark things crowding in on me either did not exist or were not dangerous to me, and still I was afraid. I thought how terrible the nights must have been in a time when men knew the things were there and were deadly. But no, that's wrong. If I knew they were there, I would have weapons against them, charms, prayers, some kind of alliance with forces equally strong but on my side. Knowing they were not there made me defenseless against them and perhaps more afraid.
John Steinbeck Travels with Charley: In Search of America
Oh, we can populate the dark with horrors, even we who think ourselves informed and sure, believing nothing we cannot measure or weigh. I knew beyond all doubt that the dark things crowding in on me either did not exist or were not dangerous to me, and still I was afraid. I thought how terrible the nights must have been in a time when men knew the things were there and were deadly. But no, that's wrong. If I knew they were there, I would have weapons against them, charms, prayers, some kind of alliance with forces equally strong but on my side. Knowing they were not there made me defenseless against them and perhaps more afraid.
It howled execration upon the dim camarine world of its nativity wail on wail while he lay there gibbering with palsied jawhasps, his hands putting back the night like some witless Paraclete beleaguered with all limbo's clamor.
Cormac McCarthy Outer Dark
It howled execration upon the dim camarine world of its nativity wail on wail while he lay there gibbering with palsied jawhasps, his hands putting back the night like some witless Paraclete beleaguered with all limbo's clamor.
The hospital bulked darkly in the darkness.
William T. Vollmann Poor People
The hospital bulked darkly in the darkness.
And this also," said Marlow suddenly, "has been one of the dark places of the earth.
Joseph Conrad Heart of Darkness
And this also," said Marlow suddenly, "has been one of the dark places of the earth.
Weston: Look at my outlook. You don't envy it, right?Wesley: No.Weston: That's because it's full of poison. Infected. And you recognize poison, right? You recognize it when you see it?Wesley: Yes.Weston: Yes, you do. I can see that you do. My poison scares you.Wesley: Doesn't scare me.Weston: No?Wesley: No.Weston: Good. You're growing up. I never saw my old man's poison until I was much older than you. Much older. And then you know how I recognized it?Wesley: How?Weston: Because I saw myself infected with it. That's how. I saw me carrying it around. His poison in my body.
Sam Shepard Curse of the Starving Class
Weston: Look at my outlook. You don't envy it, right?Wesley: No.Weston: That's because it's full of poison. Infected. And you recognize poison, right? You recognize it when you see it?Wesley: Yes.Weston: Yes, you do. I can see that you do. My poison scares you.Wesley: Doesn't scare me.Weston: No?Wesley: No.Weston: Good. You're growing up. I never saw my old man's poison until I was much older than you. Much older. And then you know how I recognized it?Wesley: How?Weston: Because I saw myself infected with it. That's how. I saw me carrying it around. His poison in my body.
You find my words dark. Darkness is in our souls, do you not think?
James Joyce Ulysses
You find my words dark. Darkness is in our souls, do you not think?
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