Moby Dick Study Guide

What reason does Ishmael give for going to sea?

What reason does Ishmael give for going to sea?

1.) He's depressed and needs something to rejuvenate his life so he doesn't kill himself--all people have a natural attraction to sea

Name the three positions that Ishmael does not wish to occupy aboard ship.

1.) Passenger, commodore, captain, cook

Why does Ishmael go to sea as a sailor rather than as a passenger?

1. Gets paid (doesn't have to pay)
2. he claims sailors always get to experience the wind off of the sea first, and therefore have a first-hand experience of whaling. (exercise and fresh air)

What was Ishmael's profession while not at sea?

A schoolteacher

What is the name of the first city in which Ishmael looks for lodging?

New Bedford

What is the name of the inn that Ishmael eventually settles into?

The Spouter Inn

Why does Ishmael leave "The Trap"?

It was an African-American church, and therefore not a place that Ishmael could stay the night.

One of the first things Ishmael notices upon entering the inn is a painting. What does this painting depict?

A ship, in the middle of a hurricane, and a giant whale preparing to throw itself onto the ship.

What is a Cape Horn measure?

a full glass of alcohol, sold to sailors.

What is the first piece of information that Ishmael learns about his bedmate?

He's a harpooneer (also dark skinned, only eats rare steaks)

Who is the first member of the Pequod's crew that Ishmael observes? Describe the man

1.) Bulkington; he stand aloof from the other sailors, is six feet tall with broad shoulders and chest. He is tan, has white teeth, and is Southern.

Where is Queequeg while Ishmael is deciding whether or not to share his bed?

He is in town attempting to sell a shrunken head from New Zealand

What finally decides the issue of where Ishmael will sleep?

Ishmael cannot sleep on the bench, and so the innkeeper tells him that the harpooner might not even be back that night, and tells Ishmael it's a perfectly good room. The landlord takes him to the room and he snoops around for a bit and then finally gets into the bed out of necessity because it is so cold.

What about Queequeg's appearance does Ishmael find disturbing?

Queequeg's whole body is covered in tattoos (he also has a purlplish/yellow face)

After undressing, Queequeg draws a tomahawk from his bag. Why?

He wants to smoke his pipe before bed (the tomahawk is a multipurpose piece of equipment)

What does Ishmael find odd about Queequeg's dressing habits?

Queequeg gets under the bed to put his clothes on, which seems strangely modest for a cannibal.

Looking around the common room, Ishmael is able to guess at how long each man has been ashore. How?

1.) He can tell how long they've been ashore based off of how tan they still are; healthy, tan guys have been at sea recently--pale, ugly dudes have been ashore for awhile

What surprises Ishmael about Breakfast?

All of the whalers are silent at breakfast, and Ishmael thought they would all be telling whaling stories and have poor manners.

What reason does Ishmael give for New Bedford's prosperity?

1. Ishmael notes that all of New Bedford's wealth comes from the whaling industry; that's what made this place a nice little town instead of just a bit of scrub on the Massachusetts shore (the large amount of sailors who stay there and make their living near there)
2. Ishmael also says that the trees are very beautiful in autumn and summer, and that the girls are very pretty and "bloom all year round."

What is the focus of attention in the church as Ishmael makes his entrance? What do these objects have in common?

The sailors, and sailors' wives and widows all seem to be reading the different plaques on the walls—memorials to men who died at sea.

Why is Father Mapple so highly regarded by his congregation?

He used to be a whaler and used many sea-like peculiarities in his chapel. (he has a lot of interesting mannerisms that most clergymen don't have)

Before the sermon begins, Ishmael compares the pulpit(pulpit is where the preacher stands)?

The pulpit resembles a ship's bow.

What biblical story does Father Mapple use a basis for his sermon?

Jonah and the whale

What according to Father Mapple, constitutes true repentance?

To accept your punishment and know what you did was wrong. he also says if someone chosen by God to be a prophet or a leader refuses to preach the truth, as Jonah did, then God will visit a terrible punishment on him.

What foreshadowing does the preacher use?

The preacher talks about a whaling trip, like Ishmael is going on, and how you should follow the word of god. Moby Dick may be the punishment.

What is Queequeg doing when Ishmael returns from church?

He is counting the pages of a book in groups of 50.

Who does Ishmael compare Queequeg to as he studies the man's head?

George Washington

Why does Ishmael finally decide to befriend Queequeg?

Because he is a good man and doesn't care what others think; he ignores queequeg's oddities and naturally begins to like him more and more

On what logic basis does Ishmael join in Queequeg's ritual?

-Because if Ishmael does Queequeg's ritual, then Queequeg might follow Ishmael's Presbyterian faith. or at least respect his faith.

-he also says "I'll try a pagan friend, thought I, since Christian kindness has proved but hollow courtesy" (81).

Ishmael asserts that "a sleeping apartment should never be furnished with a fire." Why not?

Because if there was a fire, body warmth by snuggling would be unnecessary.--you should have warmth from the company of others not fire

Where is Queequeg from?

Kokovoko, an island far away to the South West

What is Queequef's status among his people?

He was Royalty; son of a King and nephew of a High Priest

Why is Queequeg so eager to leave his island? Why was he unsucessful in his quest?

He wanted to see the Christians( and the christian world) and the ship was full

Why had Queequeg stayed away from his homeland for so long?

He believes Christians had made him unfit to return to be a King

What is the name of the first boat that Ishmael and Queequeg board together?

Moss

What reward does Queequeg ask for his heroics on the ship?

Fresh water to wipe the brine off; basically nothing

According to legend, how was Nantucket discovered?

An eagle swooped on the New England coast and took an infant Indian. The parents followed in their canoes, until they found the dead baby on the island

Find A simile on page 52 and foreshadowing on page 53

Similie: "For the sea is his; he owns it, as emperors own empires." /
Foreshadowing: Since the sea is their home, they could end up dying at sea, making it their permanent home

Who refers Queequed and Ishmael to the Try Pots? Why?

Peter Coffin (the landlord) ; because his cousin Hosea Hussey owns that hotel and makes the best chowder

What premonitions does Ishmael have?

If you called out a type of fish, that type of chowder would be brought to you

On what basis does Mrs. Hussey object to Queequeg's taking his harpoon to his room?

It's dangerous to sleep with a harpoon and doesn't want him accidentally stabbing and/or killing himself like young Stiggs

What is the name of Queequeg's idol?

Yojo

Provide two different reasons why the selection of the ship is left to Ishmael

1- Yojo told Queequeg 2/3 times the selection should be Ishmael's
2- The day to choose was a day like Lent or Ramadan to Queequeg, so Ishamael would go on his own

Who are Captains Peleg and Bildad? What is the generale impression of the Pequod?

They are captain part owners of of the Pequod, but they are not going on the trip; the pequoud is
noble craft, yet melancholy and old

What is Captain Peleg's response to Ishmael's credentials?

he is not impressed at his lack of expereience on whaling; It seems suspicious to him since Ishmael used to do merchant service;

What are the origins of the name Pequod?

Named for Algohquian—speaking Pequot tribe of Native Americans; Mashantucket (western Pequot tribe) & Eastern Pequot tribe still in Conneticut reserve

What is a "lay"?

The shares of the ship's profits given out, proportioned to how important one's job is (Ishmael- 300th lay)

What is a Peleg's opinion of Ahab? What impression is given of Ahab?

Peleg describes him as a grand, ungodly, godlike man who is well educated & good, but left moody after losing his leg ; Ishmael feels bad for him, feels a strange awe, like a mystery

Why does Ishmael avoid returning to the room after signing on to the Pequod?

he Wanted to respect Queequeg's religious obligations and not bother him in the room

Why does Ishmael break the innkeeper's bolt?

There was no sound of Queequeg in the room & it was locked with the harpoon inside; he was worried about suicide/injury of his roomate and broke down the door

Why is Queequeg allowed to crew for Pequod?

Ishmael claims that Queequeg is part of the First Congregational Church—the one everyone belongs too (he's a cannibal and had no converting papers, so Ishmael lied[ and made an sjw argument that "we all belong to the church of life"])

Why does Captain Peleg argue that Queequeg should be hired?

-Queequeg proved himself by hitting a tar spot far away, that was his target (representing a whale's eye) —> given 90th lay
-he also says harpooners have to be not full christian/a little bit nuts to be good at their job

What does the stranger say that injects an element of mystery into the story?

Elijah talks about "the prophecy" and warns Ishmael and Queequeg of the dangers of Captain Ahab and tells them of the many rumors and stories of Ahab (Captain Ahab seemingly died for three days off of Cape Horn, had a scrimmage with a Spaniard at altar in Spain, the silver calabash, loosing his leg.)

Why does the stranger's name affect Ishmael strongly?

Elijah was a prophet of God in Israel during the reign of Ahab, according to biblical stories.

What does Ishmael do with the stranger's advice?

Ishmael ignores it and tells himself that Elijah is just a "humbug, trying to be a bugbear."

Who is "Aunt Charity" and how did she get that name?

Aunt Charity is Bildad's sister. A "lean old lady" who got her name because she would do help with anything that "promised to yield safety, comfort, and consolation." She supplies the ship with its necessities and alot of excess things

Why does Ishmael accept Peleg and Bildad's excuses on behalf of the Captain?

Ishmael accepted the excuses because he was already signed up for the voyage and involved.
Quote: 123`0-p9o=["But when a man suspects any wrong, it sometimes happens that if he be already involved in the matter, he insensibly strived to cover up his suspicions even from himself. And much this way it was with me."

Who, besides Ishmael and Queequeg, sees the five vanishing sailors board the ship?

Elijah

Why does Ishmael object to Queequeg's taste in "furniture"? Who is the next man introduced, and what is his job?

-Queequeg sits on a sleeping man.
-Ishmael: "Call that his face? Very benevolent countenance then, but how hard he breathes, he's heaving himself, get off Queequeg, you are heavy, it's grinding the face of the poor"
- The next man introduced is Starbuck, the chief mate.

Who assumes command of the ship while she leaves the harbor? Who is the second mate>

Starbuck assumes command of the ship," Mr. Starbuck, drive'em aft."
-The second mate is Mr. Stubb

How does Ishmael explain Ahab's continued absence on deck?

Ishmael says its natural enough; "In the merchant service many captains never show themselves on deck for a considerable time after heaving up the anchor."

What can be inferred by the last sentence in the chapter--"Ship and boat diverged; the cold, damp night breeze blew between; a screaming gull flew overhead; the two hulls wildly rolled; we gave three heavy-hearted cheers, and blindly plunged like fate into the lone Atlantic.

They didn't know what they were getting themselves into!

What is Bulkington's job aboard ship?

-Bulkington is a tall new landed mariner who just came back from a 4-year voyage. Ishmael met him before at the New Bedford inn.
-He stands at the helm when they go hunting.

What job does Ishmael most closely associate with the professional whaler?

Ishmael says being a whaler is much like being a butcher, which is why the world sees whaling as dishonorable. However, Ishmael says military service is also a lot like butchering with all the bloodshed, yet it is still considered honorable.

What credits does Ishmael list in defense of whaling?

-Lamps and candles are made with whale oil and whale blubber.
-Whaling has been respected and honored by kings
-It's profitable.
-Whaling has made the world a lot safer (whaling ships were the first to explore distant countries and create relationships with the people)
-Epic stories about whaling: the book of Job, the writings of Alfred the Great about a Norwegian whaler, a speech made in Parliament by Englishman Edmund Burke referencing whaling.
-Benjamin Franklin is distantly related to a whaling family so whalers can be noble
-Whales are called a "royal" fish so whaling is also respectable
-A famous Roman procession that involved the bones of a whale.
-Constellation called Cetus (the whale).
-Ishmael respects Queequeg, and those who can kill whales more than attacking towns.
-Ishmael gives all the glory to whaling, because it taught him everything he knows.

What is Ishmael's final point in defense of the whaling industry?

There is dignity in whaling and the honor you gain while in the industry.

Why does Starbuck say "I will have no man in my boat,...who is not afraid of whale"?

-Starbuck meant to express his belief of fear.
-The author is speaking through Starbuck that being fearless is bad and harmful to oneseulf and others.
-Having the courage to assess a situation, while being afraid, is much more trustworthy and valued.
-being cowardly is better than being fearlesss according to Starbuck (and Melville)
"By this, he seemed to mean, not only that the most reliable and useful courage was that which arises from the fair estimation of the encountered peril, but that an utterly fearless man is a far more dangerous comrade than a coward" (Melville 149).

What makes Starbuck say ...as careful a man as you'll find anywhere in this fisher"?

Starbuck was described as such because he "was no crusader after perils; in him courage was not a sentiment; but a thing simply useful to him, and always at hand upon all morally practical occasions" (149). As explained in the previous question,
-While Starbuck was afraid of whales, he was careful and courageous while not being fearless which Ishmael seems to agree with..

How does Stubb compare to Starbuck in relating to the whales?

-Stubb is very laid back and chill at all times
-Stubb and Starbuck are alike when it comes to courage and fear. They assess the situation calmly before proceeding with courage and fear, but he was chill
-Stubb however, is very cool and off handed
"When close to the whale, in the very death-lock of the fight, he handled his unpitying lance coolly and off-handedly, as a whistling tinker his hammer" (152).

What does Ishmael speculate is the cause of Stubb's good humor?

Stubb's pipe-he smokes extremely often
"What helped to bring about that almost impious good-humor of his; that thing must have been his pipe. For, like his nose, his short, back little pipe was one of the regular features of his face" (152).

How does Flask compare with Stubb and Starbuck about whales?

-Flash is super high strung and views whales as a pest
-he does not respect or fear the whale like he should
"In his poor opinion, the wondrous whale was but a species of magnified mouse, or at least water-rat, requiring only a little circumvention and some small application of time and trouble in order to kill and boil" (153).

Who are Tashtego and Daggoo? What is odd about the crew?

-Tashtego was an unmixed Indian from Gay Head. He was sufficiently proclaimed "an inheritor of the unvitiated blood of those proud warrior hunters" (154). Basically, he was a great whale hunter.

--Daggoo was an African harpooner. He was described as "retained all his barbaric virtues, and erect as a giraffe, moved about the decks in all the pomp of six feet five in his socks" (155). The odd aspect of the crew is that they are all islanders. In Ishmael's opinion, "Islanders seem to make the best whalemen" (155).

What is Captain Ahab's most prominent facial feature? What caused it? What immpression does Ishmael get to Ahab?

1--there is a rod mark, that is livididly whitish"Threading its way out from among his grey hairs, and continuing right down one side of his tawny scorched face and neck, till it disappeared in his clothing, you saw a slender rod-like mark, lividly whitish" (158).
2--No one aboard the ship knows whether the scar is a birthmark or a wound from being at sea. According to one of the Native American seamen, "not till he was full forty years old did Ahab become that way branded, and then it came upon him, not in the fury of any mortal fray, but in an elemental strife at sea" (159).
3--According to Ishmael, Ahab did not seem ill. He seemed to overbear the "dignity of some mighty woe" (159).

What helps Ahab maintain his footing while on deck?

A group 1/2 inch holes in the deck
"Upon each side of the Pequod's quarter-deck, and pretty close to the mizzen shrouds, there was an auger hole, bored about half an inch or so, into the plank. His bone leg steadied in that hole" (159).

What, in Ishmael's opinion, brings Ahab out from his cabin?

-In Ishmael's opinion, Ahab came out of his cabin because he needed fresh air and some sun.
-"And, by and by, it came to pass, that he was almost continually i the air; but, as yet, for all he said, or perceptibly did, on the at last sunny deck, he seemed as unnecessary there as another mast" (160).

What prompts Stubb to approach Ahab? What is Ahab's reaction?

-Ahab was walking around on the top deck, making noise while everyone was asleep which made Stubb go up to try to quiet him down
-He went up to tell Ahab to be quiet(very politely), and "hinted that if Captain Ahab was pleased to walk the planks, then, no one could say nay" (162).
-Ahab reacted angerly by replying "Down, dog, and kennel!" (162). He called Stubb a dog in this way and ordered him below deck, and when Stubb objected, Ahab continued "Then be called ten times a donkey, and a mule, and an ass, and begone, or I'll clear the world of thee!" (162).

What does stubb decide to about Ahab's outburt?

=Stubb retreats back to his cabin, slightly freaked out and angry about Ahab's outburst. He mutters "I was never served so before without giving a hard blow for it" (163).
-After a while of thinking about it and talking to himself, Stubb has changed his mind and decided that he is afraid of Ahab rather than angry.

Why does Ahab toss his pipe into the ocean?

Ahab tosses his pipe into the ocean because "this smoking no longer soothes" and later claims "I'll smoke no more" (165).

Who does Stubb tell about his encounter with Ahab, which he calls a dream?

He tells Flask.

What piece of wisdom does Stubb take from his dream?

From his dream, Stubb takes the following piece of wisdom: "Remember what I say; be kicked by him; account his kicks honors; and on no account kick back" (167).

What happens at the end of the chapter?

At the end of the chapter, Ahab spots whales in the waters around them. "Look sharp, all of ye! there are whales here-abouts! If ye see a white one, split your lungs for him!" (168).

Why does Ishmael discredit the work of more than half of his listed experts on Cetology?

Of all the experts Ishmael lists, only half of them - the ones that are after Owen - have actually seen a living whale. And of those experts, only one was a professional harpooner and whaleman (Captain Soresby).

Why does Ishmael discount Captain Scoresby?

Captain Soresby never knew or said anything about the sperm whale. Plus, even though the Greenland/Right whale is "almost unworthy mentioning," Soresby says that it is the "the throne of the seas." So Ishmael thinks that Soresby is very ignorant.

According to Ishmael's system of classification, what type of animal is a whale?

1Whales have lungs and warm blood, while other fish are lungless with cold blood. However, Ishmael classifies whales as fish because in the Bible, the whale that swallows Jonah is labeled as a fish.

Which type of whale, according to Ishmael, is the most profitable to hint?

The sperm whale is the most valuable because it is the only creature from which spermaceti is obtained. It can be used for light and many medicines.

Which whale is known as the "Unicorn whale"?

-The Narwhal --because of its unicorn-like horn.
-It's seldom hunted, but its horn can be used for poison antidotes and smelling-salts.

What, according to Ishmael, is the "grand distinction" between officers and seamen?

where they sleep/live--The officers live toward the stern (rear) of the ship, while the men at sea live toward the front of the ship. (aft and foreward)

What makes the Specksnyder different from the other officers on the ship?

(President and 5-star general)
-Specksnyder" literally translates to "Fat-Cutter," but is used as Chief Harpooner. The Specksnyder reigns supreme over the other officers.
-While the other officers are inferior to the captain, the Specksnyder sometimes commands the ship, and lives apart from the other men.

In what order do the officers report to Ahab's cabin for dinner?

1. Dough-Boy (the steward), Ahab, Starbuck, Stubb, Flask.

Why does Ishmael pity Flask when he is summoned to dinner?

Flask didn't know what it was like to not be hungry. Even though he was allowed to, Flask never helped himself at dinner, and never ate more than the officers above him served him (everyone). Also, he was the last person down to dinner, first one up from dinner and the first man up in the morning.

What is Tashtego's way of speeding up the service at the harpooner's table?

If Dough-Boy didn't bring the food fast enough, Tashtego would throw a fork onto his back like a harpoon. He also once acted like he was going to scalp him.

Why does Ishmael consider Ahab's views on the use of his cabin typical?

Like most American whale captains, Ahab believed that the ship's cabin belonged to him, and the other sailors rarely entered it.

What does it mean to "stand a mast had"?

An ancient business in which the three mast-heads of a ship are kept manned from sunrise to sunset. The seamen take turns sitting up there and keeping watch for whales/other ships, relieving each other every two hours.

What about the Glacier separtates it from other whaling ships?

The Glacier is Captain Sleet's ship. It has a crow's next, which is an ugraded mast-head: it protects the sailor from harsh weather, has comfortable seating, and a compass and other nautical conveniences.

In your opinion, why does Ishmael react as he does to the idea of the crows nest?

In my opinion, Ishmael believes that not enough people appreciate the whaling business and the sperm whale. So he doesn't admire the luxuries of the crow's next because he believes being on a mast-head and looking out at the ocean for hours should be luxurious enough. The mast-head should be as important as the whaling voyage(dope)

What advice does Ishmael give to ship owners looking to hire sailors?

Be careful to hire young sailors with no ambition, because they aren't willing to look for whales. They'll take a captain everywhere yet won't find one whale/make him richer. They won't try if it's difficult.

What is meant by Stubbs remarkd about Ahab that "the chick that's in him pecks the shel. twill be out"?

1Ahab is trying to be patient, but he's known to be a crazy captain and he is slowly losing his composer. Soon his craziness is going to come out. --his inner demons will escape as they continue to peck his fake shell of composure

What is the first question Ahab asks the assembled crew?

"What do ye do when ye see a whale, men?" ("Sing out for him!")

What reward does Ahab offer to the man who spots the white whale, and how does he advertise it?

Ahab offers a gold doubloon - a Spanish ounce of gold that is a sixteen-dollar piece. He hammers it onto the main mast while the entire crew is assembled.

Who besides Ahab has actually seen Moby Dick before the meeting on the Pequod?

all the harpooners (except Fedallah) Tashtego, Daggoo, and Queequeg