The Whale's Story (1867)

AUTHOR: Alcott, Louisa May
PUBLICATION: Morning-Glories and Other Stories. 1867. Rpt. London: S. Low, Son & Co., 1871. 135-145.
https://archive.org/details/morninggloriesa00alcogoog/page/n144/mode/2up

Representative of Alcott's stories that emphasize animal welfare, this story stands out for alerting its readers to the suffering and moral corruption involved in the creation of animal-based products, specifically those that are dependent on whale fat (oil) and bones (soap, umbrellas).  This theme also appears in "Transcendental Wild Oats," where the narrator remarks upon the reformist community's refusal of "animal substances" to provide lamp light and other fuels. In "The Whale's Story," Alcott manipulates narrative perspective in order to maximize her sentimental moral theme (a critique of undeserved and excessive pride), thus much of the narration is provided by a whalebone that tells the story of its own demise.

KEYWORDS: animals, animal products, animal welfare, commodification, pride, moral education

SUMMARY (Ridvan Askin, edited Deborah Madsen):

The story begins with Freddy resting on a huge whalebone under a tree and wondering “how [the whale] got here, where [it] came from, and if [it] were a good and happy creature while [it] lived” (135). Suddenly, the bone begins to speak and proceeds to tell its story to Freddy, the only person ever to show any pity or interest. The initial paragraphs that offer information about the nature of whales emphasize their commodity value for humans: “[M]y cousins of the sperm-family usually yield eighty barrels of oil,” while the Right whale's “tongue” yields “about five barrels of oil” (137), as the whale remarks.

When Freddy asks the whale whether they have any enemies, because they should not have any given their size, the whale is quick to point out the fatal role of humans: “'[M]en harpoon us, shoot or entrap us; and make us into oil and candles and seats, and stiffening for gowns and umbrellas,' said the bone, in a tone of scorn” (138). Freddy is surprised to learn that whales are used to make candles. The whalebone does not hesitate to give him the details of the process: “[W]hen a sperm whale is killed, they make oil out of the fat part as they do of ours; but the Sperms have a sort of cistern in their heads, full of stuff like cream, and rose-colored. They cut a hole in the skull, and dip it out; and sometimes get sixteen or twenty barrels. This is made into what you call spermaceti candles” (138).

The whalebone then goes on to tell Freddy about his “troubles,” how his father was mercilessly chased and killed: “They chased him five hours before they stuck him; he tried to get away, and dragged three or four boats and sixteen hundred fathoms of line from eight in the morning till four at night. Then they got out another line, and he towed the ship itself for more than an hour. There were fifteen harpoons in him: he chewed up a boat, pitched several men overboard, and damaged the vessel, before they killed him. Ah ! he was a father to be proud of” (139-140). Freddy falls silent upon hearing the whalebone's story, but there is worse to come, as the whalebone proceeds to tell Freddy how his young son was harpooned and his wife killed in the process of trying to rescue her child (140).

Then follows another story about a Sperm whale who, having attacked a ship, came away with a wound in his head and two spears in his body making him easy prey for the next whaler. In passing, the whalebone mentions that “Sperms have fine ivory teeth, and make ambergris, – a sort of stuff that smells very nice, and costs a great deal” (141), once more emphasizing whales' commodity value. Ostensibly, his motivation in telling these stories is purely educational: “I give you those little facts about my family,” the whalebone explains, “as you seem interested, and it's always well to improve the minds of young people” (141). This underlines the tale's primary moral, which is less about animal welfare and more about undeserved and foolish pride. For the final account explains how the whale brought about his own downfall due to excessive pride, as

a horrible harpoon came flying through the air, and sunk deep into my back. I forgot every thing but the pain, and dived for my life. Alas! the tide was low; the harbor-bar couldn't be passed; and I found hundreds of boats chasing me, till I was driven ashore down there on the flats. Big and strong as we are, once out of water, and we are perfectly helpless-. I was soon despatched; and my bones left to whiten on the sand. This was long ago; and, one by one, all my relics have been carried off or washed away. My jawbone has been used as a seat here, till it's worn out; but I couldn't crumble away till I'd told some one my story (145).

While the story repeatedly zooms in on the whale's suffering as caused by humans, the whalebone's last words return to the notion of hubris, quoting a well-known proverb: “Remember, child, pride goeth before a fall” (145).

 

Last updated on February 10th, 2024

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