Original Story：
There are some enterprises in which a careful disorderliness is the true method.
The more I dive into this matter of whaling, and push my researches up to the very spring-head of it so much the more am I impressed with its great honorableness and antiquity; and especially when I find so many great demi-gods and heroes, prophets of all sorts, who one way or other have shed distinction upon it, I am transported with the reflection that I myself belong, though but subordinately, to so emblazoned a fraternity.
The gallant Perseus, a son of Jupiter, was the first whaleman; and to the eternal honor of our calling be it said, that the first whale attacked by our brotherhood was not killed with any sordid intent. Those were the knightly days of our profession, when we only bore arms to succor the distressed, and not to fill men’s lamp-feeders. Every one knows the fine story of Perseus and Andromeda; how the lovely Andromeda, the daughter of a king, was tied to a rock on the sea-coast, and as Leviathan was in the very act of carrying her off, Perseus, the prince of whalemen, intrepidly advancing, harpooned the monster, and delivered and married the maid. It was an admirable artistic exploit, rarely achieved by the best harpooneers of the present day; inasmuch as this Leviathan was slain at the very first dart. And let no man doubt this Arkite story; for in the ancient Joppa, now Jaffa, on the Syrian coast, in one of the Pagan temples, there stood for many ages the vast skeleton of a whale, which the city’s legends and all the inhabitants asserted to be the identical bones of the monster that Perseus slew. When the Romans took Joppa, the same skeleton was carried to Italy in triumph. What seems most singular and suggestively important in this story, is this: it was from Joppa that Jonah set sail.
Akin to the adventure of Perseus and Andromeda- indeed, by some supposed to be indirectly derived from it- is that famous story of St. George and the Dragon; which dragon I maintain to have been a whale; for in many old chronicles whales and dragons are strangely jumbled together, and often stand for each other. “Thou art as a lion of the waters, and as a dragon of the sea,” said Ezekiel; hereby, plainly meaning a whale; in truth, some versions of the Bible use that word itself. Besides, it would much subtract from the glory of the exploit had St. George but encountered a crawling reptile of the land, instead of doing battle with the great monster of the deep. Any man may kill a snake, but only a Perseus, a St. George, a Coffin, have the heart in them to march boldly up to a whale.
Let not the modern paintings of this scene mislead us; for though the creature encountered by that valiant whaleman of old is vaguely represented of a griffin-like shape, and though the battle is depicted on land and the saint on horseback, yet considering the great ignorance of those times, when the true form of the whale was unknown to artists; and considering that as in Perseus’ case, St. George’s whale might have crawled up out of the sea on the beach; and considering that the animal ridden by St. George might have been only a large seal, or sea-horse; bearing all this in mind, it will not appear altogether incompatible with the sacred legend and the ancientest draughts of the scene, to hold this so-called dragon no other than the great Leviathan himself. In fact, placed before the strict and piercing truth, this whole story will fare like that fish, flesh, and fowl idol of the Philistines, Dagon by name; who being planted before the ark of Israel, his horse’s head and both the palms of his hands fell off from him, and only the stump or fishy part of him remained. Thus, then, one of our own noble stamp, even a whaleman, is the tutelary guardian of England; and by good rights, we harpooneers of Nantucket should be enrolled in the most noble order of St. George. And therefore, let not the knights of that honorable company (none of whom, I venture to say, have ever had to do with a whale like their great patron), let them never eye a Nantucketer with disdain, since even in our woollen frocks and tarred trowers we are much better entitled to St. George’s decoration than they.
Whether to admit Hercules among us or not, concerning this I long remained dubious: for though according to the Greek mythologies, that antique Crockett and Kit Carson- that brawny doer of rejoicing good deeds, was swallowed down and thrown up by a whale; still, whether that strictly makes a whaleman of him, that might be mooted. It nowhere appears that he ever actually harpooned his fish, unless, indeed, from the inside. Nevertheless, he may be deemed a sort of involuntary whaleman; at any rate the whale caught him, if he did not the whale. I claim him for one of our clan.
But, by the best contradictory authorities, this Grecian story of Hercules and the whale is considered to be derived from the still more ancient Hebrew story of Jonah and the whale; and vice versa; certainly they are very similar. If I claim the demigod then, why not the prophet?
Nor do heroes, saints, demigods, and prophets alone comprise the whole roll of our order. Our grand master is still to be named; for like royal kings of old times, we find the head-waters of our fraternity in nothing short of the great gods themselves. That wondrous oriental story is now to be rehearsed from the Shaster, which gives us the dread Vishnoo, one of the three persons in the godhead of the Hindoos; gives us this divine Vishnoo himself for our Lord;- Vishnoo, who, by the first of his ten earthly incarnations, has for ever set apart and sanctified the whale. When Brahma, or the God of Gods, saith the Shaster, resolved to recreate the world after one of its periodical dissolutions, he gave birth to Vishnoo, to preside over the work; but the Vedas, or mystical books, whose perusal would seem to have been indispensable to Vishnoo before beginning the creation, and which therefore must have contained something in the shape of practical hints to young architects, these Vedas were lying at the bottom of the waters; so Vishnoo became incarnate in a whale, and sounding down in him to the uttermost depths, rescued the sacred volumes. Was not this Vishnoo a whaleman, then? even as a man who rides a horse is called a horseman?
Perseus, St. George, Hercules, Jonah, and Vishnoo! there’s a member-roll for you! What club but the whaleman’s can head off like that?
Expansion and Analysis
Summary and Interpretation
This story explores the ancient and honorable tradition of whaling, linking it to famous mythological and religious figures such as Perseus, St. George, Hercules, Jonah, and Vishnoo. The narrative suggests that these heroes and demigods were early whalemen, symbolizing bravery, nobility, and divine purpose. It emphasizes that whaling was not merely a practical activity but one steeped in legend and spiritual significance.
The tale of Perseus rescuing Andromeda from a sea monster (whale) highlights the chivalrous origins of whaling, portraying it as a noble act of saving the helpless rather than exploiting nature. Similarly, the story reinterprets St. George's battle with a dragon as a fight against a whale, reinforcing the idea that whales were seen as mighty sea dragons in ancient lore.
The story also connects the Greek myth of Hercules being swallowed by a whale to the biblical story of Jonah, suggesting shared cultural roots and the whale's symbolic importance across different civilizations. The Hindu god Vishnoo’s incarnation as a whale to retrieve sacred texts further elevates the whale’s spiritual status.
Creative Background and Author Introduction
This piece reflects a rich tradition of blending mythology, religion, and history to elevate an occupation—in this case, whaling—to a heroic and almost sacred level. The author, likely inspired by 19th-century maritime culture and classical literature, uses these legendary figures to create a grand narrative that honors whalemen as noble warriors of the sea.
The text’s style, reminiscent of Herman Melville's Moby Dick, suggests an era when whaling was both a vital industry and a source of cultural myth-making. The author’s deep research into mythologies and ancient texts demonstrates an intention to connect modern readers with the timeless human fascination with the sea and its creatures.
Reflections and Insights
Reading this story encourages us to view whaling through a broader cultural lens, appreciating the bravery and significance attributed to whalemen throughout history. It reminds us how stories can transform ordinary professions into legendary quests, inspiring respect and admiration.
At the same time, it invites reflection on how humans have historically related to nature—sometimes as conquerors, sometimes as protectors—and how myths shape our understanding of these relationships.
Educational Value for Children and Students
From this story, young readers can learn:
- Mythology and History Integration: How ancient myths and religious stories can be connected to real-world professions and natural phenomena.
- Symbolism: Understanding the whale as a symbol of power, mystery, and spiritual significance.
- Cultural Diversity: Exposure to Greek, Roman, Biblical, and Hindu traditions, fostering cross-cultural awareness.
- Critical Thinking: Encouragement to question and reinterpret traditional stories (e.g., the dragon as a whale).
- Bravery and Nobility: The values exemplified by the heroes in the story—courage, rescue, and honor.
Practical Applications and Learning Points
- Literature and Mythology Classes: Use the story to discuss how myths evolve and influence culture.
- History and Social Studies: Explore the historical significance of whaling and its impact on societies.
- Environmental Education: Contrast the heroic past of whaling with modern conservation efforts, promoting respect for marine life.
- Creative Writing: Inspire students to create their own stories blending fact and myth.
- Vocabulary Building: Focus on words like leviathan, harpooned, incarnation, fraternity, and tutelary.
Reading Comprehension Questions
- Who was the first whaleman according to the story?
- What was the noble purpose of the first whale attack by the whalemen?
- How does the story reinterpret St. George’s dragon?
- Which two stories are compared as having similar themes involving whales?
- What role does Vishnoo play in the story related to the whale?
- Why does the author claim Hercules as a member of the whalemen’s fraternity?
- What lesson can children learn about bravery from this story?
Answers
- Perseus, the son of Jupiter, was the first whaleman.
- The first whale attack was to rescue Andromeda, not for selfish gain.
- The dragon St. George fought is suggested to be a whale, symbolizing a sea monster.
- The stories of Hercules and Jonah are compared as both involving whales.
- Vishnoo incarnated as a whale to rescue sacred Vedas from the ocean depths.
- Because Hercules was swallowed and thrown up by a whale, making him an involuntary whaleman.
- Children learn that true bravery involves facing great dangers to protect others, just like the heroes who confronted whales.
This story serves as a rich educational resource, blending mythology, history, and moral lessons, perfect for engaging young learners in literature, culture, and ethical reflection.
