Moby Dick Literary Analysis
Haley Milner
Ms. Knoepfel
English 10 Honors
Period ½
Moby Dick Literary Analysis
from Moby Dick
Literary
Analysis
This chapter beings on the quarterdeck which, very conveniently, is also the name of the chapter. Ahab makes it very obvious that for the last several days he has had something major on his mind. Ahab decides he is ready to tell the ship crew, and the readers, what this is, so he instructs Starbuck to gather the crew before him. Ahab announces that he will give any men an ounce of gold who spots a white whale, with a curious jaw, and with three wounds in his side. Three of the sailors assume that this is the whale that had bit off Ahab’s leg, and Ahab does not hesitate to agree with the three men. Ahab then states how this is no longer just a voyage, but a mission to capture and kill Moby Dick.
Now let’s discuss a major character. Ahab shows his true colors within this chapter by revealing his true plans for Pequod’s voyage. Ahab had this mission in mind before he had even stepped on board for this voyage, however he decided to wait to tell the sailors on board his true plans. Why does he do this? Ahab decides to do this so that the sailors really had no other choice, but to help Ahad capture this whale. What does this reveal about Ahab? This shows how Ahab is not only vengeful, but also
misleading and deceitful, however many could argue that he was all of this for a good reason. He was vengeful because of his unfortunate fate that the whale had caused him. This had caused him to be misleading and deceitful to the members aboard the ship. He had mislead the crew by not revealing his true plans until he was far out in sea, and this is where opinions come in such as him doing it for a good reason.. or bad.
A major theme throughout this entire chapter would have to be, but not limited to, vengeance. Ahab is very vengeful towards the white whale, Moby Dick. He
Ms. Knoepfel
English 10 Honors
Period ½
Moby Dick Literary Analysis
from Moby Dick
Literary
Analysis
This chapter beings on the quarterdeck which, very conveniently, is also the name of the chapter. Ahab makes it very obvious that for the last several days he has had something major on his mind. Ahab decides he is ready to tell the ship crew, and the readers, what this is, so he instructs Starbuck to gather the crew before him. Ahab announces that he will give any men an ounce of gold who spots a white whale, with a curious jaw, and with three wounds in his side. Three of the sailors assume that this is the whale that had bit off Ahab’s leg, and Ahab does not hesitate to agree with the three men. Ahab then states how this is no longer just a voyage, but a mission to capture and kill Moby Dick.
Now let’s discuss a major character. Ahab shows his true colors within this chapter by revealing his true plans for Pequod’s voyage. Ahab had this mission in mind before he had even stepped on board for this voyage, however he decided to wait to tell the sailors on board his true plans. Why does he do this? Ahab decides to do this so that the sailors really had no other choice, but to help Ahad capture this whale. What does this reveal about Ahab? This shows how Ahab is not only vengeful, but also
misleading and deceitful, however many could argue that he was all of this for a good reason. He was vengeful because of his unfortunate fate that the whale had caused him. This had caused him to be misleading and deceitful to the members aboard the ship. He had mislead the crew by not revealing his true plans until he was far out in sea, and this is where opinions come in such as him doing it for a good reason.. or bad.
A major theme throughout this entire chapter would have to be, but not limited to, vengeance. Ahab is very vengeful towards the white whale, Moby Dick. He