In the book Moby Dick, does Ishmael survive by means of cannibalism?

Question

Would he be considered a cannibal? If not, why does he ask “who is not a cannibal?”, implying that everyone is one?

Answer 1

Ishmael is the sole survivor of the shipwreck. He was thrown free of the reckage and was able to keep himself afloat on Queequeg’s coffin which was part of the wreckage. When introduced in the beginning, Ishmael decided that Queequeg was a cannibal as he was covered in tatoos and was Polynesean. Ishmael was only on the ocean a day prior to being rescued by another whaling boat; therefore, the cannibalism question is a moot point. It is symbolic to Queegueg's spiritual survival.