Chapters 26-28 Summary

Ishmael begins Chapter 26 by introducing us to the ship's chief mate, Starbuck. Starbuck is described as a steady young man whose life is guided by his common sense and intelligence. Ishmael indicates that through the story he is about to tell, Starbuck remains the valiant and moral person he first appears to be. Ishmael ends the chapter contemplating that no matter how bad a person is, there is nothing sadder than a man who has lost his valor.

After spending a full chapter talking about Starbuck, Ishmael devotes the next chapter to the rest of the crew. In Chapter 27 Ishmael introduces the second mate Stubb. Stubb is a happy-go-lucky, brave man characterized by his pipe, an accessory he is rarely seen without. The third mate Flask is also fearless in nature and seems to feel the need to destroy all whales...