Moby-Dick discussion questions Chapter 3 “The Spouter Inn”: In what ways is the painting in the Spouter Inn unusual
In what ways is the painting in the Spouter Inn unusual?
Some readers see the painting, a work of art, as a reflection of the book itself. If this is so, what might Melville suggest about his own art through that painting?
In what ways does Peter Coffin seem to play a joke on Ishmael in this chapter?
What effect could Melville try to attain by naming the landlord “Coffin”?
In this chapter Melville depicts another religious ceremony. What color is prominently mentioned? In what ways is the ceremony similar to a Christian one? Why might Melville include these similarities?
Describe Ishmael’s evolving attitude toward his roommate throughout the chapter. What conclusions can you ultimately draw about Ishmael from this evolution?
