Moby Dick
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Introduction |
The chapter of the title is more than a little unruly and chaotic. The first pages in particular are very cumbersome. |
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Questions |
Answer two of the following questions 1. What does Ishmael admit to at the beginning of the chapter? How is that a change for him? 2. Describe Moby Dick. What and how did he do in Ahab? What does Ahab ascribe to the whale? 3. Melville write of Ahab’s "monomania"-what is that? How is the madness cunning? Why was the crew also obsessed by the whale? |
The Whiteness of the Whale
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Introduction |
This is an odd and famous chapter. Remember what time of day it is in the story. Also, this is a really heavy thinking chapter. |
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Questions |
Answer two of the following questions after you have finished the reading. 1. Why does the color of Moby appall Ishmael? 2. What two "ideas" are in this hue? Following the logic, then, how is whiteness "sublime"? 3. In the end, how does whiteness mean the absence of all meaning? |
Hark
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Introduction |
After two heavy lifting chapters, here is a light one. |
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Questions |
Answer one of the following questions. 1. What does Archy hear? What mystery do those noises connect to? 2. Why does that chapter come here? |
The Chart
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Introduction |
Ahab checks out the maps, looking for the white whale. |
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Questions |
Answer two of the following questions. 1. What is Ahab doing to the chart and what is the chart doing to Ahab? What is the symbolism working here? 2. How is this plotting and mapping a perfect activity for Ahab (shows his character? 3. How is fire used metaphorically at the end of this chapter |
The Affidavit
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Introduction |
This is one of Melville’s lecture chapters. |
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Questions |
Answer two of the following questions. • What is Melville attempting to prove in these chapters? What does that reveal about his audience? • Does Melville believe whales are intelligent? Explain. • Does this chapter show whales as evil? Explain. |
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