Final answer:
Ishmael is conveying his feelings of depression by using metaphors related to grimness and the dreariness of November.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Ishmael mentions "growing grim around the mouth" and having a "damp, drizzly November" in his soul, he is describing feelings of depression. This is a metaphorical way to express an internal sense of despondency and a lack of joy or hope. By choosing the dreary month of November to represent his mood, he conveys a time often characterized by overcast skies, cold weather, and a general feeling of melancholy, alluding to his internal emotional landscape.