Moby Dick
...d tolerate the disparaging treatment that befalls upon them by their superiors, they will be paid for their toil. The comfort that Ishmael provides his readers is that, "Everybody else is one way or other served in much the same way" (Pg 3, lines 41-42) and therefore it is at least worthwhile that workers should submit to this treatment so that they will bear the fruits of their labor. Ishmael has yet a different understanding of the ?Universal thump? that pertains to all those seeking superior positions. The ?"universal thump" is a way of acknowledging your place in society's chain of command. "Everybody else is one way or other served in much the same way"(Pg 3, lines 41-42), insinuates that everybody at one time or another is regarded lower than another and is "thumped" by that person. Yet, just like the captain had to be a sailor and be thumped by his captain before he himself could be an influential captain, so too everyone must work their way up to the position they yearn to acquire by being thumped by their superiors. Only through a beginning stage can one reach the ultimate stage. Therefore, ?have the satisfaction of knowing that it is all right??(Pg 3, line 42), for every time you get thumped, you are a step closer to your efflorescent stage in life, where your authority would enable you to thump others. ??The universal thump is passed round, and all hands should rub each other...