Moby-Dick discussion questions Chapter 111 “The Pacific” and Chapter 112 “The Blacksmith”
In what ways does Ishmael describe the Pacific with images and references to center, or centrality? How might that connect to the novel’s plot? Might it connect to any themes?
Melville’s description of the blacksmith alludes to Hephaestus, a Greek god. How do they resemble one another? Why does Melville choose to do this?
Summarize Perth’s griefs and how he deals with them.
In the penultimate paragraph, to what is the ocean compared, and why?
