Read the excerpt from Chapter 28 of Moby-Dick.

Question

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

Answer 1

The significance of Ahab's leg being made from whale bone aligns with the idea that "Ahab has pitted himself against nature in an effort to dominate it." This represents not only Ahab's personal struggle with the whale, which serves as a symbol of the natural world, but also his broader conflict against nature itself.

Ahab's choice to replace his lost leg with an artifact of the very creature he hunts underscores the paradox of his relationship with nature. He is both a part of that natural world and an adversary to it. This duality reflects the themes of obsession, vengeance, and the human desire to conquer nature, central to the narrative of "Moby-Dick." Ahab's quest to hunt the whale becomes a manifestation of humanity's broader struggle against the forces of nature, emphasizing the peril of such hubris. Thus, Ahab's ivory leg signifies his combative stance against the natural world.

Answer 2

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

Answer 3

The fact that Ahab’s leg is made from whale bone significantly signifies that "Ahab has pitted himself against nature in an effort to dominate it." This choice to create a prosthetic limb from the very creature that has caused him suffering symbolizes Ahab's obsession with conquering the whale and, by extension, nature itself.

His leg, a reminder of his injury inflicted by a whale, embodies a deeper conflict between humanity and the natural world. By utilizing a piece of the whale in his own body, Ahab not only seeks to assert his dominance over the creature but also underscores the tragedy of his struggle, as he is forever marked and entwined with the nature he seeks to control. This dynamic highlights the broader themes of revenge, obsession, and the often detrimental consequences of mankind's attempts to exert power over nature.

Answer 4

Which best explains Melville’s reason for describing how the sight of Ahab causes “foreboding shivers” in the narrator at the beginning of Chapter 28 of Moby-Dick?
Melville is building a mood of suspense.
Melville is comparing and contrasting Ahab and the narrator.
Melville is showing a sequence of events.
Melville is developing a possible solution to a problem.

Answer 5

The best explanation for Melville’s reason in describing how the sight of Ahab causes “foreboding shivers” in the narrator at the beginning of Chapter 28 is that "Melville is building a mood of suspense."

This description creates an atmosphere of tension and unease, indicating that Ahab's presence brings with it an ominous sense of danger. It foreshadows the dark and tumultuous events that are likely to unfold as Ahab's obsessive quest for the whale progresses. The narrator's reaction helps to convey the deep impact Ahab has on those around him, heightening the suspense of the narrative.