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- # The Manxman's Interpretation of the Doubloon
## Overview
This section, titled "The Manxman's interpretation of the doubloon," is a segment of text extracted from the file `moby_dick.txt`. It is part of a larger chapter titled "CHAPTER 99. The Doubloon." The text focuses on the character of the Manxman and his unique perspective on the doubloon.
## Context
This section is a component of the [Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW) collection, specifically extracted from the file `moby_dick.txt`. It follows the section detailing "Flask's interpretation of the doubloon" and precedes the section on "Pip's interpretation of the doubloon."
## Contents
The text describes the Manxman's interpretation of the doubloon, which is presented as a mystical and astrological reading. He references an "old witch in Copenhagen" who taught him about celestial signs and their connection to the sun and gold. He identifies the "horse-shoe sign" with the "lion," symbolizing a "roaring and devouring" force. The passage also briefly touches upon the interpretations of other characters, including Queequeg, Fedallah, and Pip, highlighting the diverse ways each character perceives the doubloon. The Manxman's interpretation is characterized by its reliance on astrological lore and a sense of foreboding.
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- The Manxman's Interpretation of the Doubloon
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- “If the White Whale be raised, it must be in a month and a day, when
the sun stands in some one of these signs. I’ve studied signs, and know
their marks; they were taught me two score years ago, by the old witch
in Copenhagen. Now, in what sign will the sun then be? The horse-shoe
sign; for there it is, right opposite the gold. And what’s the
horse-shoe sign? The lion is the horse-shoe sign—the roaring and
devouring lion. Ship, old ship! my old head shakes to think of thee.”
“There’s another rendering now; but still one text. All sorts of men in
one kind of world, you see. Dodge again! here comes Queequeg—all
tattooing—looks like the signs of the Zodiac himself. What says the
Cannibal? As I live he’s comparing notes; looking at his thigh bone;
thinks the sun is in the thigh, or in the calf, or in the bowels, I
suppose, as the old women talk Surgeon’s Astronomy in the back country.
And by Jove, he’s found something there in the vicinity of his thigh—I
guess it’s Sagittarius, or the Archer. No: he don’t know what to make
of the doubloon; he takes it for an old button off some king’s
trowsers. But, aside again! here comes that ghost-devil, Fedallah; tail
coiled out of sight as usual, oakum in the toes of his pumps as usual.
What does he say, with that look of his? Ah, only makes a sign to the
sign and bows himself; there is a sun on the coin—fire worshipper,
depend upon it. Ho! more and more. This way comes Pip—poor boy! would
he had died, or I; he’s half horrible to me. He too has been watching
all of these interpreters—myself included—and look now, he comes to
read, with that unearthly idiot face. Stand away again and hear him.
Hark!”
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- The Manxman's interpretation of the doubloon