Moby Dick Practice Quizzes

Who is Cato the Younger?

a statesman in the late Roman Republic who killed himself

In The opening paragraph, Ishmael states that one of the reasons he has decided to go to sea is that lately he has found himself engaging in a number of strange behaviors. Name one of them.

-lingering near a coffin warehouse

-Joining funeral processions

-Feeling signs of hypochondria

-Walking into the street and knocking people's hats off

In this chapters (ch 1) , Ishmael refers to The Ancient Greek god of the sea. What is the name of this God?

Poseidon

In this chapter (ch 1), Ishmael refers to the Greek myth of Narcissus. According to Ishmael's interpretation of Narcissus's story, Narcissus drowned for what reason?

He saw an image of himself in the foundation and tried to grasp it. When he couldn't take hold of the image, he threw himself into the water and was drowned.

Later in the chapter (ch 1), Ishmael discusses how difficult it is to go on board a ship a a "simple sailor" if one comes from ____________. Name one of the two sets of conditions of life that Ishmael makes reference to when he discusses the difficulty of transitioning this life (the answer to the question) and the life of a sailor

A famous family or a school teaching background

According to Ismael, is the "greatest infliction" forced upon humanity by the two orchard thieves?

paying

(ch 1) When Ishmael makes reference to: "Grand Contested Election for the Presidency of the United States," "Whaling Voyage by One Ishmael," and "Bloody Battle in Afghanistan," he is imagining that what is occurring? in other words, who has created these headlines and for what purpose?

These are imagined listings on a program for a master play written by God or Providence.

(ch 1) In the second paragraph of this chapter, Ishmael states that there is a section of Manhattan known as the ______ where a number of people go to gaze out at the water.

Battery

(ch 1) As Ishmael continues to ponder all people's attraction to water, he considers the subject matter of many artists' paintings. He then paints an imaginary picture of a country scene of a beautiful meadow with trees and a shepherd tending his flock of sheep. In that imagined painting what one detail in the scene commands the attention of the shepherd?

a stream

According to Ishmael, what ancient group of people (besides the Greeks) considered the sea to be holy or sacred?

Persians

Ishmael remarks about his habits as a sea-going person. He is careful to state that he never goes to sea as

passanger/ commodore/ cook/ someone who pays

(ch 1) Ishmael talks at length of the difficulty a person encounters when he goes to sea as a "simple sailor" if he has, in his previous experience, come from a famous family. To endure this transition, Ishmael says, requires a "strong dose of _______________." (The answer is not a substance.)

Seneca or the Stoics

In this chapter, Ishmael reflects on the irony that human beings are forced to pay for all things. Why, according to Ishmael, is this emphasis on money in human life so ironic?

-According to religious tradition, no person of money can enter heaven.

-people love to be paid but hate paying

According to Ishmael, the forces that stage manage all of our lives are ______________.

the fates

In this first chapter of the novel, Ishmael brings up a curious habit that he says almost all people have. What is this habit?

The habit of journeying down to the water to gaze out at it.

(ch 1) In the middle of this chapter, Ishmael makes a reference to the prairies of America. He claims that to visit the prairies in June is always disappointing. Why is this the case, according to Ishmael?

The prairies are devoid of water.

According to Ishmael, the Greek god of the sea is a brother to what other Greek god?

Jove or Zues

Why does Ishmael state that he never goes to sea as a cook? (He gives two reasons; name one.)

-He couldn't imagine himself "boiling fowls" (chicken)

-He doesn't want to end up like the Egyptian mummies who ate ibis while they were on earth

(ch 1) In this chapter, Ishmael refers to a famous archangel who appears in the Bible. Provide the name of that archangel.

Gabriel

What, according to Ishmael, is the "Pythagorean maxim?"

Not to eat beans

(ch 1) As he closes out this chapter, Ishmael reflects that "chief among [his] motives for going to sea" was

the whale

In this first chapter, Ishmael considers how all people seem to be attracted to bodies of water. He tries to understand the reason for this attraction. He concludes that "_______________ and water are wedded forever."

meditation

(ch 1) In the middle of this chapter, Ishmael marvels (is impressed by) the fact that most healthy young men have a longing to go... where?

the sea

(ch 1) In this chapter, Ishmael makes reference to a famous Greek myth. What myth (not god) does he refer to?

The myth of Narcissus

(ch 1) In this chapter, Ishmael states that he always goes to sea as a "simple sailor," one who sits down right next to ____________." (What part of the ship—use nautical term.)

The forcastle (near to the masthead)

(ch 1) In this chapter, Ishmael considers the fact that all human beings live in a state of bondage. "Who ain't a ________________?" he asks.

slave

(ch 1) As the chapter comes to an end, Ishmael tries to make sense of why he goes to sea, and he assigns the reason for this to... what aspect of life?

The Fates or Providence

(ch 1) As the chapter comes to a close, Ishmael refers to a vision that, he says, "float[s] in his soul." What is that vision of?

A vision of whales floating along in a procession—with one huge whale in the middle

Why, at the beginning of Chapter 2, was Ishmael unable to get to Nantucket and had to go to New Bedford instead?

The boat that was going to Nantucket had already set sail.

What is the name of the inn that Ishmael determines to make his stay in?

The Spouter Inn

What is the name of the owner of the above inn? (the answer to #2)

Peter Coffin

As Ishmael waits inside the inn when he decides to stay, the first item in the inn that grabs his attention is a ___________________.

Painting of a whale attacking a ship

Provide the name of the whalemen mentioned by Ishmael in chapter 3, who, according to legend, killed 15 whales in one day.

Nathan Swain

Where does the inn keeper tell Ishmael his future bunk mate has gone? What is he doing, and why is he not in the bed Ishmael is to share with him

He was out trying to sell his heads

From where had this islander procured (gotten) these heads that he was seeing?

New Zealand

As Ishmael studies the harpooner, he imagines that he must have been, because of all of his scars, in a war. What was Ishmael's reference?

The 30 Years War

The first city Ishmael arrives in after he leaves New York is

New Bedford

From what seaport did American whale-men first set sail to choose whales?

Nantucket

What is the title of the site where Ishmael, wandering through the streets of New Bedford, find a group of African American people listening to a sermon?

The Trap

The bar of The Spouter Inn is made from what substance?

The Ivory Jaw bone of a whale

When Ishmael is told by the innkeeper that he is going to have to share a bed that night if he wishes to stay at the inn, what requirement does he make about the identity of the person he would agree to bunk with?

He says that if he had to share a bed, he would want to know the identity of the man before agreeing to bunk with them OR he says the identity of the man could not be "objectionable" to them.

Ishmael tells us that the mysterious whalemen Bulkington must have been from what groups of people?

Mountainous OR men from the Alleghanian Ridge in Virginia

When the harpooner that Ishmael must room with goes to his overcoats, what object does he take from it?

His little wooden image of his god

What does the harpooner place before this object (answer to #7) when he places it before him?

A handful of shaving OR a bit of biscuit

A handful of shaving OR a bit of biscuit

Peter Coffin

In chapter 4, "The Counterpane," Ishmael recalls a disturbing memory from his childhood. In this memory, his step-mother had punished him by sending him to bed for __________ (name the number of hours).

16

In the dream that Ishmael as a child experiences when sent to bed for such a long time, he recalled what object being placed in his hand?

A supernatural hand

When Ishmael awakens in the bed with Queequeg, he throws aside the guilt (counterpane) covering them both. What object is revealed to be "sleeping by the savage's side?"

his tomahawk

What material or substance is Queequeg's hat made from?

Beaver fur

In what month of the year does Ishmael's journey from New York to New Bedford begin?

December

What is the name of the first inn to which Ishmael comes upon as he wanders alone through the streets of New Bedford?

The Sword-fish inn

Besides expensiveness, why did Ishmael determine NOT to stay at the inn alone (that served as the answer to previous question)?

It was too happy

Name two of the foods provided to Ishmael at the inn

Meat, potatoes, dumplings

When the innkeeper tells Ishamael about his future bunk mate, he tells him about the harpooneer's eating preferences. What does he say the harpooner likes to eat?

Rare steak

What is the name of the crew of men who descend upon the inn where Ishmael is staying?

The Granpas Crow

What is the name of the whaleman who Ishmael stares at in the inn's bar area. This whaleman fascinates Ishmael.

Bulkington

In Chapter 4, "the Counterpane," when Ishmael awakens and realizes that he has been lying next to Queequeg all night, he recalls a disturbing memory that he had experienced as a child. What had he done, as a small child that caused his step mother to send him to bed very early in the day?

He tried to growl up the chimney

What is the first article of clothing that Queequeg puts on when he begins to dress?

His beaver hat

What article of clothing does Queequeg struggle to put on himself?

His boots

As Ishmael studies Queequeg, he reflects that his new roommate is a creature in a "transition state," neither caterpillar nor "________"

Butterfly

What parts of his body does Queequeg wash as he prepares to start the day? Name 2.

Chest, arms, hands

In "The Carpet-Bag," what does Ishmael stuff into his carpet bag before setting out on his journey?

Shirt/shirts

In what American port was the first American whale stranded?

Nantucket

What is the name of the second inn that Ishmael comes upon as he wanders through the streets of New Bedford?

The Sword Fish

When Ishmael comes upon the African-American Church called "The Trap," the preacher's delivering a sermon about what subject?

The blackness of darkness, people in hell, weeping and wailing, or gnashing of teeth

In Chapter 3, Ishmael mentions the name of a famous whalemen, Nathan Swan, who, according to legend killed how many whales in one day?

15

When the innkeeper brought Ishmael upstairs to see the room he would be staying in, what object did Ishmael observe standing at the head of the bed?

A harpoon

As Ishmael studies Queequeg's face which is covered by markings, he remembers the story of a white whalemen. What had happened to this man in this story that Ishmael remembers?

He has fallen among the cannibals and had been tattooed by them

What is the first object that the harpooner pulls from his bag?

A tomahawk

As Ishmael scolds himself for being afraid of Queequeg, he thinks to himself, "Better to sleep with a sober cannibal than a ________ Christian."

Drunken

As chapter four opens and Ishmael awakens, he finds what thrown across him?

Queequegs arm

What object does Queequeg use instead of a razor to shave himself in the morning?

His harpoon

As Queequeg marches out of the room he shares with Ishmael after dressing himself, what object of clothing does he place around himself as he prepares to leave?

His mothers locket

What does Ishmael say about those who die at sea? In other words, what is it, according to him, that makes a "watery grave"so troublesome to those who outlive the lost person, those who continue to dwell on earth?

The fact that the "grave" is nowhere- there is no place that the mourners can go to to remember the deceased

In the Whalemen's Chapel, there is a memorial tablet to John Talbut. How old was he when he died?

18

What was Jonah doing while the vessel that he was in was struggling to stay afloat during the storm?

sleeping

After Queequeg finishes performing the action above (the answer to #4), what does he do with a book he takes from the table and places upon his lap?

He begins counting the pages up to 50, then beginning again and a counting a new set

After Ishmael returns to the Spouter Inn from the Chapel, he finds Queequeg in the room sitting before the fire. What is Queequeg doing with his hands as he sits by the fire?

He is whittling with a jack-knife the negro god or idol that he carries about with him

How much more than the usual cost did the captain of the ship bound for Spain charge Ishmael?

3x

When Ishmael makes the decision to join Queequeg in the worship of his little idol, he kisses what part of his little wooden artifact?

nose

In what period of life is Father Mapple- youth? Middle age? Old age?

Old

As Ishmael observes Father Mapple, when he enters the Chapel, he notices that Father Mapple is not carrying a(n)

umbrella

Queequeg make to Ishmael to symbolize their friendship?

Queequeg presses his forehead against Ishmael's and clasps him about the waist. Or Queequeg says that Ishmael married.

What unique way did Father Mapple mount his pulpit?

He climbed a rope that served as a ladder, similar to what is on a ship.

During the storm, the sailors ask Jonah, "who are you?" What is his reply? *

" I am a Hebrew" or he moves a...

How did the captain of the ship on which Jonah was attempting to free know that Jonah was a fugitive?

he is willing to pay more

In the Whalemen's Chapel, what does Ishmael state is so different about Queequeg from all the other people gathered there?

he can't read

In what city is the Whalemen's Chapel?

New Bedford

Before beginning his sermon, what text does Father Mapple read or recite to his congregation?

A poem or hymn

Ishmael estimates that Queequeg is, at least, how many miles from his home?

50,000

As the people began to depart from the chapel after the sermon, what does Father Mapple do?

-He remains kneeling

-He waves a benediction (a blessing)

-He remains alone in his pulpit

Why, when cast into the sea, does Jonah not "weep and wail"?

He feels his punishment is just.

When Jonah goes to lock his room what does he notice?

The lock contains no key.

In the Whalemen's Chapel, there is a memorial tablet to Captain Ezechiel Hardy, who was killed by a sperm whale off the coast of

Japan

As Father Mapple begins his sermon on the Story of Jonah, he tells the congregation that the Jonah story tells a powerful lesson. What is that lesson?

The Jonah story is a lesson to all people about sin, It is the sermon on hard-heartedness and punishment, It teaches all people that if they obey God, they must disobey God, Disobedience of Man and the will of God

How does Jonah wind up getting cast into the sea?

The men throw him overboard.

To what city does Jonah attempt to flee, according to Father Mapple?

Tarnish or Cadiz or Spain

As Ishmael studies Queequeg's shape of head, he compares his forehead to that of what noted American historical figure?

George Washington

What instrument does Queequeg use to smoke with?

Tomahawk

When Jonah took out his purse to pay the captain, what did the captain do to ensure that Jonah was paying with honest money?

He checked or inspected each coin to make sure it wasn't counterfeit or he wanted to make sure that Jonah hadn't forged any documents.