Question

Read this excerpt from chapter 41 of Moby-Dick.

And, when running into more sufferable latitudes, the ship, with mild stun'sails spread, floated across the tranquil tropics, and, to all appearances, the old man's delirium seemed left behind him with the Cape Horn swells, and he came forth from his dark den into the blessed light and air; even then, when he bore that firm, collected front, however pale, and issued his calm orders once again; and his mates thanked God the direful madness was now gone; even then, Ahab, in his hidden self, raved on.
Which words from the excerpt best convey the mood?
tranquil tropics
left behind
calm orders
raved on

Answer 1

"raved on"

It directly conveys Ahab's ongoing inner madness and the tense, unsettling mood beneath his outward calm.