- description
- # CHAPTER LIX. THE LAST END OF JACKSON
## Overview
This chapter, titled "THE LAST END OF JACKSON," is part of the novel [Redburn: His First Voyage](arke:01KG8AJ9CVDS15WWAP46A9M4XP). It was extracted from the file [redburn.txt](arke:01KG89J1GP71YDJ60P8SRH97MF) and is a component of the larger collection [Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW). This chapter follows [CHAPTER LVIII. THOUGH THE HIGHLANDER PUTS INTO NO HARBOR AS YET; SHE HERE AND THERE LEAVES MANY OF HER PASSENGERS BEHIND](arke:01KG8AJT5SAHKG6V354KE5GRJR) and precedes [CHAPTER LX. HOME AT LAST](arke:01KG8AJTVYBDRAFPDM9FWY5EY5).
## Context
The chapter details a dramatic event aboard the ship Highlander. As the ship approaches Cape Cod, a sudden squall necessitates reefing the sails. During this dangerous operation, a sailor named Jackson, who had been ill, attempts to participate. He climbs to the weather-end of the topsail yard, a position of honor, but during a moment of intense exertion, he coughs up blood and falls overboard. Despite the crew's shock, the mate orders them to continue reefing, as saving Jackson would have been impossible and the ship's boats are poorly maintained. The chapter highlights the harsh realities and dangers of life at sea, as well as the crew's grim acceptance of Jackson's death, which they perceive as their own deliverance from his harsh authority.
## Contents
This chapter contains two distinct text chunks. The first chunk describes the setting as the ship nears Cape Cod and introduces Jackson's attempt to join the crew in reefing the sails during a squall. The second chunk details Jackson's fatal fall from the topsail yard into the sea and the subsequent reaction of the crew and officers, emphasizing the ship's inadequate safety provisions and the crew's complex feelings about Jackson's demise.
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- CHAPTER LIX. THE LAST END OF JACKSON
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- CHAPTER LIX. THE LAST END OF JACKSON