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Moby-Dick · Character

Peter Coffin

The landlord of the Spouter-Inn in New Bedford, who assigns Ishmael to share a bed with Queequeg.

minor

Also known as Peter, Coffin

First appearance: III: The Spouter-Inn

Peter Coffin shows up with force in II: The Carpetbag. The page is where that presence becomes real.

Mentioned as the proprietor of the Spouter-Inn, his name noted as ominously common in Nantucket.
In the storyII: The CarpetbagOpen this moment free

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In II: The Carpetbag: Mentioned as the proprietor of the Spouter-Inn, his name noted as ominously common in Nantucket. Later, in III: The Spouter-Inn: The landlord of the Spouter-Inn, who arranges for Ishmael to share…

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The fuller portrait of Peter Coffin sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Peter Coffin in III: The Spouter-Inn

Character Web

7 connections

A slice of how Peter Coffin sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

ISIshmaelQUQueequegMDMoby DickCACaptain AhabSTStubbPCPeter Coffin

Relationship types

  • Other

Character groups

  • Secondary and Land Characters
  • Protagonist
  • Pequod's Primary Company

+2 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

SetupEscalationClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

Ahab's psychological obsession reaches its peak, as his purpose becomes an unshakable, domineering force that…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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In the story

Peter Coffin appears across 7 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Peter Coffin unlock in the free preview.

See Peter Coffin in III: The Spouter-Inn