Five of Wands

 

Meaning: Conflict, disagreement, struggle.

Depiction: The start of Steelkilt's mutiny aboard the Town-Ho, in Moby Dick's story-within-a-story. He's confronted by the officers and harpooners, while two sailors are coming down the ropes behind him to drag Steelkilt away. The four harpooners hold their harpoons; the captain holds his whale-pike to symbolize the five wands of the suit.

Text: Chapter 54- The Town-Ho's Story
“I left off, gentlemen, where the Lakeman shook the backstay. Hardly had he done so, when he was surrounded by the three junior mates and the four harpooneers, who all crowded him to the deck. But sliding down the ropes like baleful comets, the two Canallers rushed into the uproar, and sought to drag their man out of it towards the forecastle. Others of the sailors joined with them in this attempt, and a twisted turmoil ensued; while standing out of harm’s way, the valiant captain danced up and down with a whale-pike, calling upon his officers to manhandle that atrocious scoundrel, and smoke him along to the quarter-deck.

Alternate Depiction:   In the forecastle, the sailors are gathered together. The Spanish sailor attempts to pick a fight with Daggoo, and the group gathers eagerly to watch. Five harpoons are propped up in the background.

Text:  Chapter  40 - Midnight, Forecastle.

DAGGOO (springing). Swallow thine, mannikin! White skin, white liver!
SPANISH SAILOR (meeting him). Knife thee heartily! big frame, small spirit!
ALL. A row! a row! a row!

Comments:  I originally chose the Spanish sailor/Daggoo conflict for this - but thought about it and changed to the Steelkilt mutiny, which is a more consequential dispute.