Andres Orozco Discussion Questions 5 (132-135)

Andres Orozco 

Discussion Questions 5 (132-135)

After this whole book has been about chasing Moby Dick, why does Ahab seem to regret waisting his time on this whale hunt? 

What is the significance of the bird going into the vortex? Is it a symbol of America? 

Andres Orozco Discussion Questions 4 (91-96)

Andres Orozco

Discussion Questions 4 (91-96)

What point is Pip trying to make by jumping out of the boat and why does he become “crazy”?

What is the significance of the way Ishmael describes the try-works?

Andres Orozco Discussion Questions 3 (48-55)

Andres Orozco

Discussion Questions 3 (48-55)

What is the significance of Ishmael rewriting his will, and asking Queequeg for help? Out of all people why Queequeg?

What does Ahab’s unwillingness of a “gam” with the Albatross show or tell us about his obsession with Moby Dick?

Colin Spears Discussion Question 5

2/5/13

Discussion Question 5

1. Is Ahab a tragic hero or a villain?

2. Considering Pip's insanity after spending a day on the ocean, is Ishmael's tale real or insane ramblings?

Colin Spears Discussion Question 4

2/5/13

Discussion Question 4

1. What is the significance that the Rachel, an obvious illusion to the biblical figure, picks up the "orphan" Ishamael?

2. In chapter 125, after the log and line snap and Ahab gets in a fight with the Manxman, Ahab says to Pip, "I feel prouder leading thee by thy black hand, than though I grasped an Emperor's" (392). Does Ahab share abolitionist views, or is he just a crazy mad man on the seas?

Amanda Schenk Discussion Questions 5

Amanda Schenk
Discussion Questions 5
2/5/2013

1. What is Melville's purpose of inserting chapters that are written like plays?
2. What is the significance of Ahab becoming more sensitive in the end of the novel?

Ursula's Discussion Questions 1/31/13

1. What is the symbolic significance of Ahab's switch from adherence to Fedallah to adherence to Starbuck and Pip as seen in Chapters 129, 130 and 132?

2. All throughout the book there are references to both fate and free will. Having now completed the book we are able to best answer the following question: Does fate or free will guide man? Derive your response from Ishmael's narration. 

Amanda Schenk Discussion Questions 4

Amanda Schenk
Discussion Questions 4
1/30/13

1. When Melville creates an image of Fedallah's corpse tangled to Moby Dick's body is he furthering the idea that Fedallah is represented as the devil that haunts Ahab?
2. What is the significance of the Pequod sinking without its captain onboard?

Robert Discussion Questions 5

Robert Ellis
Discussion Questions 5
2/30/2013

1. What do you think of Ahab and Pip's relationship?  How does it evolve? Why do you think Ahab changes his opinion of Pip?

2. What do you think is the greater significance of sharks in Melville's work?  What do they represent? Do they symbolize multiple things?

Ursula's Discussion Questions

In Chapter 58 Ishmael compares a shark to a dog. What similarities would they seem to share, if any? Why?

Discussion Questions 3

Amanda Schenk

Discussion Questions 3

1/14/13

1. In Chapter 64, "Stubb's Supper" when Stubb forces Fleece to give a sermon to the sharks is he trying to  assert man’s dominance over the animal kingdom? 

2. In Chapter 85, “The Fountain,” does the comparison between extravagant fountains and whale spouts continue to bring glory and beauty to the whaling industry while adding an importance to water in general with the description of the Erie Canal? 

Discussion Question 3

Colin Spears
1/14/2013

1. Ch. 73: Does Fedallah work for Ahab or does Ahab work for Fedallah?

2. Ch. 71: Considering the Biblical allusion of Jeroboam being the first king of the northern half of separated Israel, why does Melvil name the ship that the Pequod meets the Jeroboam?

Robert Discussion questions 3

Robert Ellis
Discussion questions 3
1/14/2013

Chapter 86.  Despite the fact that the whale's tale has no monetary value and that it is the most deadly to humans why do you think it is so revered and well known feature?

Chapter 73. What do you think Fedallah represents as a whole and why do you think other crew members resent him so much?

Colin Spears Discussion Question (36-42)

12/16/12

1. While Ishmael is talking about the evil of the whiteness of the whale in chapter 42, he mentions the white steed of the prairies (161).  Why does Melville compare the white steed to Xerxes the Persian emperor?

2.  Looking at Stubb's aside and Captain Ahab's compulsion, does the sea create mad men, or does it attract mad men to it?

Ursula's Discussion Question (Ch. 36-42)

Shakespearean tragedy (with which Melville was well versed) often revolves around a great character flaw, the greatest of these being an inevitable fate. These fates are often displayed through prophesies. For Captain Ahab, is the idolatrous history of his name is his greatest prophesy? How then, does Chapter 36, the chapter in which the Captain finally states his intention portray him as keeping with his prophesies or breaking with them? If so, does this make him a villain or a tragic hero?

Amanda Schenk Discussion Questions (Ch. 36-42)

Amanda Schenk
December 16, 2012
Chapter 36-42

1. Does Melville’s use of stage directions and the insertion of a play in Chapter 40 come from the influence Shakespeare’s work had on him? 

2. Starbuck questions Moby Dick’s involvement in the loss of Ahab’s leg to which Ahab replies “it was Moby Dick that dismasted me” (139). Is Ahab’s use of the word “dismasted” foreshadowing that Moby Dick will dismast the Pequod in the future? 

Andres Orozco Discussion Question 2 (36-42)

Andres Orozco
Discussion Question 2 (36-42)
12/16/12

In chapter 36, what is the significants of the ritual the three harpooners make to God, with Ahab?

What is the purpose of chapter 40, in its context and the style in which it was written?

Robert Ellis Discussion Question 2 (36-42)

What is the importance of the role of Moby Dick? Is it a noble "David and Goliath" type of struggle or an unhealthy obsession that Ahab has?

Ursula's Discussion Question from Chapters 17-21

Melville places special emphasis on names in Moby Dick. By choosing two very well known biblical names with clear biblical stories he gives them an edge of pretense. That being said, is there a clear correlation between the two main names: Ishmael and Ahab. If so, what is it? Does Melville suggest similarity through the two's "misfit" natures? Or difference?

Andres Orozco's Discussion Questions (Ch. 10-16) 12/11/12

Andres Orozco

Discussion Questions
(Ch. 10-16)
12/11/12


What is the role of Christians or Christianity have on Queequeg?

What is the importance of Nantucket, and why does Melville see it as the place that owns the sea?