kofi asante discussion questions (100-105)

At the end of chapter 105, the whale is referred to as immortal and perishable at the same time.  This paradox makes it difficult to classify an species, let alone a mysterious whale.  Is this Melville's way of saying that we should cherish whales and not hunt them or that we should hunt them because they will always be there?



Melville references the evolution of whales by stating that they are "superior in magnitude to those whose fossil remains are found in the Tertiary system" (351). Does Melville believe that evolution, rather than a Super Being, runs the world.