101 pages 3 hours read

Herman Melville

Moby Dick

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1851

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Essay Topics

1.

Describe the internal struggle that sends Ishmael on a whaling voyage. Alternately, describe Ahab’s, Starbuck’s, or any other crew members motivations for going whaling. How do they differ?

2.

In your opinion, does Melville do enough to define Queequeg as his own person? How is Queequeg described differently than the more openly stereotypical depictions of, say, Fedallah and his crew? How are they similarly described?

3.

What is a “heathen” and what is a “Christian” in Ishmael’s unorthodox point of view? How should one be guided by morality in general, according to his narration?

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