AnswersNC-English Language Arts 11 CRUnit Test

Symbols in Moby-Dick Answers

10 verified answers1 views
1
Free Preview

Read the excerpt from Chapter 28 of Moby-Dick.It had previously come to me that this ivory leg had at sea been fashioned from the polished bone of the sperm whale’s jaw.How is the fact that Ahab’s leg is made from whale bone significant to the novel’s theme of humans versus nature?

A
It signifies that Ahab has pitted himself against nature in an effort to dominate it.
B
It signifies that Ahab lives a life in harmony with the natural world.
C
It signifies that Ahab has made a choice to surrender to the power of the whales he hunts.
D
It signifies that Ahab see himself as an equal and dependent part of a greater whole.
2
Free Preview

Which excerpt from Chapter 28 of Moby-Dick best develops the theme of the novel concerning humankind’s insistence on manufacturing its own destruction?

A
Nevertheless, ere long, the warm, warbling persuasiveness of the pleasant, holiday weather we came to, seemed gradually to charm him from his mood.
B
And not only that, but moody stricken Ahab stood before them with a crucifixion in his face; in all the nameless regal overbearing dignity of some mighty woe.
C
There seemed no sign of common bodily illness about him, nor of the recovery from any.
D
Whether that mark was born with him, or whether it was the scar left by some desperate wound, no one could certainly say.
3

Which best explains the symbolism behind Melville’s comparison of Ahab to a solid bronze cast in Chapter 28 of Moby-Dick?

A
Melville is symbolizing the impermanent nature of Ahab’s character.
B
Melville is symbolizing the intellectual nature of Ahab’s character.
C
Melville is symbolizing the inflexible nature of Ahab’s character.
D
Melville is symbolizing the impolite nature of Ahab’s character.
4

Which best explains the purpose of the first two paragraphs of Chapter 28 of Moby-Dick?

A
They provide background information on the tasks required of the crew on a whaling ship.
B
They explain Ahab’s inner motivation for sequestering himself inside his cabin.
C
They lead the reader into a description of the novel’s main character, Ahab.
D
They give the reader a detailed description of the crew’s ship, the Pequod.
5

Which best explains why Melville refers to Captain Ahab as “supreme lord and dictator” in the first paragraph of Chapter 28 of Moby-Dick?

A
to show that Captain Ahab trusts his crew to make decisions for him
B
to show that Captain Ahab distributes power equally among his crew
C
to show that Captain Ahab is the only decision maker on board the ship
D
to show that Captain Ahab is the only person allowed to work on deck
6

Read the excerpt from Chapter 28 of Moby-Dick.Nor a word he spoke; nor did his officers say aught to him; though by all their minutest gestures and expressions, they plainly showed the uneasy, if not painful, consciousness of being under a troubled master-eye.Which best describes the theme Melville develops in this excerpt?

A
the effectiveness of a leader who sets himself apart from others
B
the importance of obeying a leader under all circumstances
C
the inherent danger of a leader who exhibits signs of distress
D
the problems associated with inexperienced leaders
7

Which best explains how Melville uses his description of Ahab in Chapter 28 of Moby-Dick to comment on the nature of people?

A
Through Ahab, Melville symbolizes how guilt can take over a person’s life.
B
Through Ahab, Melville symbolizes how obsession can take over a person’s life.
C
Through Ahab, Melville symbolizes how inaction can ruin a person’s life.
D
Through Ahab, Melville symbolizes how isolation can ruin a person’s life.
8

In Chapter 28 of Moby-Dick, which ailment of humankind is best symbolized by Ahab’s plight?

A
obsession with the past
B
fear of the future
C
respect for nature
D
dependency on others
9

Which best explains the symbolism behind Melville’s use of the word “brand” to describe the scar on Ahab’s body in Chapter 28 of Moby-Dick?

A
The source of Ahab’s scar has been defeated.
B
The source of Ahab’s scar now owns him.
C
Ahab is at peace with his scar.
D
Ahab is proud of his scar’s significance.
10

Which best describes another comparison that Melville could have used to symbolize the rigid and unalterable character of Ahab in Chapter 28 of Moby-Dick?

A
an uninhabited island
B
a full moon
C
a stone monument
D
a forest fire

Did you find these answers helpful?

More from this Course

Quiz
10 verified answers

The Scarlet Letter

Quiz
10 verified answers

Dark Hauntings: "The Fall of the House of Usher"

Instruction
2 verified answers

Instruction