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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the crew of The Delight about to do as the Pequod comes alongside?

2. What do passing sailors say about the white whale?

3. Ironically, what is hanging from the taffrail of the Pequod?

4. How does Ahab react to the intrusion by Starbuck?

5. How does Ahab die?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to Fedallah when Moby Dick is harpooned for the first time?

2. What ironic thought does Ahab have while looking at Queequeg's coffin?

3. Why does the encounter with the Bachelor irritate Ahab?

4. Explain two instances that Starbuck interprets as signs that God does not support Ahab's revenge on Moby Dick.

5. Describe the madness of Ahab that loses his humanity.

6. What is the secret that Ishmael lets slip about why Ahab stayed in his cabin so long at the beginning of the trip?

7. What happens when Tashtego accidentally falls into the oil-filled head of the whale?

8. What is Ishmael trying to ascertain as he ponders fossil remains of whales he has read about?

9. What is the problem with maritime laws pertaining to whaling?

10. Explain why the Pequod sails in the wrong direction.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay of at least two typed, double-spaced pages on Ishmael as the narrator of MOBY DICK. Explain what makes Ishmael a good choice as narrator in terms of his education and background. Why does Ishmael relate better to the general reader than Starbuck or Flask might have? Why is it necessary to the story that Ishmael survive the destruction of the Pequod?

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay of at least two typed, double-spaced pages on the hard life of whalers. Mention the three year expeditions required to fill the ship with valuable whale oil. Discuss the weather conditions that make the trip more dangerous. Detail the need to go out in small boats to get near enough to the whales to harpoon them.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay of at least two typed, double-spaced pages on how literature helps understand ages past. Use the sights, sounds, and customs of 19th century America as written about in the novel to describe what life was like then. Note in your essay the things like whale oil for lighting that are no longer necessary. Write your opinion about such things as room sharing at an inn and the communal meals in the dining room. Explain why you would or would not like to have lived during those times.

(see the answer keys)

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