Chapters 34-35 Summary

Ishmael describes the dinner habits of the captain and three first mates of the ship. During these solemn, silent dinners, Ahab presides over the table, and serves each man his food. Although they have not been ordered not to, none of the men speaks or helps themselves to anything on the table. Ishmael seems particularly to pity Flask who is served last, and must be the first to leave the table. Flask admits these meals are the punishment for being selected as an officer. Although Flask has outward importance, he can never get completely full in the time he is allotted for meals. Flask wishes for the days when he dined with the other sailors and was allowed to eat his fill.

After the captain and first mates finish their dinner and leave the cabin, a much different scene emerges when...