By formally introducing himself to the reader in the opening lines, we are instantly told this will be a first-person account of Ishmael’s. It may not be the absolute truth, but will be what the narrator believes is the truth.

Ishmael is the first person narrator.

In the Bible, Ishmael is the son of Abraham and Hagar. Hagar is the servant of Abraham’s wife Sarah. Ishmael and Hagar were banished to the desert at Sarah’s request. Although Ishmael’s life was full of strife in the beginning, Ishmael ends up having a decent life and many sons. His sons go on to become leaders and continue the family tree.

I think this story is going to be about a man who will go on a journey and find meaning in life, even though he has had an unfortunate path. I expect the character to go through hardships, but learn from them and prosper. I also think there would be a happy (or some-what happy) ending.

I don’t know much about Ishmael in the bible context, but I do know that the bible is technically a story of some ever-long journey, so I would expect that his name is actually not Ishmael, and he is creating a persona. Secondly, he will go through some kind of journey at sea, whether he survives or not is still questionable to the reader.

A unreliable and informal story. If you want me to call you Ishmael, then that right away makes me doubt what your real name is and makes things seem informal.

He wants people to understand his story better by associating him with a well-known figure in most peoples lives.

Ishmael and his mother Hagar were exiled, wondering in the desert, slowly dying from thirst and hunger. Though in their desperation, God always provided, making sure they lived and equipping them with water.

It’s clear the narrator is not only stripped of everything but like Ishmael from the Bible, he is thirsty and aching for life outside the dry land. Being at sea would be like heaven, he’ll thirst no more.

I feel like a personal story is what I will read from Ishmael. Or maybe the name ‘Ishmael’ represents a character or some other figure who Ishmael in this story is trying to bring alive again.

By calling himself Ishmael the narrator is doing two things; one being informal, and two he is creating a biblical reference to a person that he identifies with the most from the bible, Ishmael. So by calling himself Ishmael the narrator is referring to himself as a biblical character in the Book of Genesis. The narrator seems will be paralleling his own story to that of Ismael’s in the Bible, referencing his suffering and his survival.

Ishmael is the name of Abraham’s son according to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Melville’s character, like the religious figure, spends much time in the wilderness exploring and trying to find himself. This resonates well with Melville’s character, hence he asks to be called “Ishmael.” With that being said the kind of story I can anticipate is that of an epic one, as Ishmael’s was in the religious tales. A story of loss, obsession, delusions of grandeur, and finding oneself.

Cato the Younger was known for disagreeing with Caesar and killed himself because he did not want to live by Caesar’s rules/power. As Cato escaped his environment by killing himself, Ishmael escapes his environment on land by escaping to sea.

Similiar to the association with Ishmael, he wants people to draw a clear conclusion of what he is feeling, but also how he distinguishes from it.

I’m wondering if Cato represents another side of the character in the story.

Melville references Cato because Cato committed suicide by throwing himself on to his own sword ending his life violently. Cato’s gruesome demise contrasts Ishmael’s suicide because Ishmael quietly takes the ship anticipating his death by the sea, whereas Cato’s death was dramatic.

What he is saying here is that some time or another almost all of these men have felt alone, and view the water as a place of serenity.

I think one feeling is comfort, although I don’t think he knows exactly what feeling he is talking about either at this point in the story. The ocean is water and water is the base for all life. Ishmael is suicidal and has wanted death; water is life and symbolizes his will to live and appreciation for all things living.

I think the feeling that he’s mentioning is the feeling of unity and a meaningful connection to something in this life.

Ishmael claims that, at certain times, all men cherish the feeling of danger.

The sea takes Ishmael away from his life on land which we are told is a safe, albeit fruitless one in the second sentence. He references not the actual act of suicide by Cato, but it’s philosophical flourish, meaning he sees the sea as a way to escape a disagreeable society.

While the sea may ultimately end up being the sword he throws himself upon, right now its risks are worth taking to Ishmael. The dangers at sea, and the loneliness it causes are something he cherishes because they are different from the norm.

If men knew how to find a place where they could escape the animalistics of losing control, or killing or dying, then maybe many people or parts of the world would be better off.
Ishmael here finds solace and a reason to continue living just by finding a place to keep calm. He may want to advise all men to find the same since many men do not take those things too seriously.

Water is addressed in the bible nearly one thousand times. Water is essential to living, it also symbolizes growth, refreshment, and irrigation. If the men knew what being out at sea really meant, having a renewed life, they would all come to appreciate it.

Feelings of wanting to be in the company of others. Not wanting to ever be alone.

I think that Ishmael is mentioning this because he feels that he’s been longing for unity and solidarity with that is meaningful to his existence in life.

The feeling of being free is one all of mankind strives for, not just men. Liberation, freedom, clarity, these are all feelings that man seeks, and according to Ishmael, this can be obtained on the sea.