In ch. 123, “The Musket,” how does Starbuck justify murdering Ahab?  How do you interpret Starbuck’s line that Ahab would …

What is the function of a quadrant?  Why specifically does Ahab destroy the quadrant, and what is the significance of …

At the opening of ch. 116, the last whales are killed, one of them by Ahab.  Given his obsession with …

Why does Ishmael “account the whale immortal in his species, however perishable in his individuality”? (p. 503-504 [354])  How do …

What is the significance of the meeting with the Samuel Enderby?  What important information does Ahab find out?  What did …

What is the significance of the meeting with the Samuel Enderby?  What important information does Ahab find out?  What did …

It focuses on Ishmael’s epistemology; his views about our relationship to “reality,” and his method of symbolism.  How does each …

How do you interpret the imagery of the Try-Works on pp. 462-463 [326-327])?  What do you make of Ishmael describing …

Why does Stubb take Pip and not Dough-Boy in his boat?  How does Ishmael contrast Pip with Dough-Boy?  What is …

How does Ishmael further humanize whales in ch. 88?  What are the points of difference for him between male and …