What is the life-buoy described in the chapter title? What might Melville have chosen to include such a detail? Perth …

What is the state of the ship’s compass? Is that suggestive, or ironic? What is Starbuck’s dilemma in this chapter? …

How does this add to, change, or reinforce your understanding of Ahab? Does the chapter affect your view of Starbuck? …

To what does the chapter title refer? How does the theme of weaving appear in this chapter? What is Ahab’s …

What conditions must be met before Ahab can perish? In what way does this prophecy add to the story? Summarize …

What reason might Melville have for including this meeting in the novel? How does it affect your perception of Ahab …

Explain what Ahab means when he says, “I am impatient of all misery in others that is not mad.” How …

In what ways does Ishmael describe the Pacific with images and references to center, or centrality? How might that connect …

“Top-heavy was the ship as a dinnerless student with all Aristotle in his head.” Is this anti-transcendental, or not? Explain. …

Explain what Ahab means when he says he’s “all aleak” himself. In that same paragraph, Ahab compares life to a …