The theme that is best developed in this excerpt from Chapter 28 of Moby-Dick is a person’s inability to alter fate. The foreboding feelings experienced by the narrator upon seeing Captain Ahab on the quarter-deck suggest a sense of impending doom, hinting at the inescapable fate that awaits them. Ahab's character, deeply determined to pursue the white whale, embodies the struggle against fate and the ultimate futility of that struggle.
Read the excerpt from Chapter 28 of Moby-Dick.
It was one of those less lowering, but still grey and gloomy enough mornings of the transition, when with a fair wind the ship was rushing through the water with a vindictive sort of leaping and melancholy rapidity, that as I mounted to the deck at the call of the forenoon watch, so soon as I leveled my glance towards the taffrail, foreboding shivers ran over me. Reality outran apprehension; Captain Ahab stood upon his quarter-deck.
Which of the novel’s themes is best developed in this excerpt from Chapter 28 of Moby Dick?
a person’s ability to outsmart fate
a person’s harmony with nature
a person’s control over nature
a person’s inability to alter fate
11 answers
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?
The source of Ahab’s scar has been defeated.
The source of Ahab’s scar now owns him.
Ahab is at peace with his scar.
Ahab is proud of his scar’s significance.
The source of Ahab’s scar has been defeated.
The source of Ahab’s scar now owns him.
Ahab is at peace with his scar.
Ahab is proud of his scar’s significance.
The best explanation for the symbolism behind Melville’s use of the word “brand” to describe the scar on Ahab’s body in Chapter 28 of Moby-Dick is The source of Ahab’s scar now owns him.
The term "brand" implies a mark that signifies ownership or a lasting impression, suggesting that Ahab's scar is a constant reminder of his struggle with the whale and his obsession. It symbolizes the deep, enduring impact that Moby Dick has on him; rather than being a mark of triumph, it indicates that Ahab is marked and owned by his quest for revenge against the whale, highlighting the theme of being consumed by one's obsession.
Read the excerpt from the beginning of Chapter 1 of Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
SQUIRE TRELAWNEY, Dr. Livesey, and the rest of these gentlemen having
asked me to write down the whole particulars about Treasure Island, from
the beginning to the end, keeping nothing back but the bearings of the
island, and that only because there is still treasure not yet lifted, I
take up my pen in the year of grace and go back to the time when
my father kept the Admiral Benbow inn and the brown old seaman with the
sabre cut first took up his lodging under our roof.
Which best explains Stevenson’s reason for beginning the chapter with this paragraph?
Stevenson creates confusion in the reader with a narrator who explains that he is writing a story because he has been asked to do so by several other characters.
Stevenson creates interest in the reader with mention of still undiscovered treasure and the arrival of a mysterious character in the narrator’s life.
Stevenson creates unease in the reader with a detailed account of the problem the main character has to overcome to reach a solution.
Stevenson creates a clear visual picture in the reader’s head with a strong description of the story’s setting without giving its actual location.
SQUIRE TRELAWNEY, Dr. Livesey, and the rest of these gentlemen having
asked me to write down the whole particulars about Treasure Island, from
the beginning to the end, keeping nothing back but the bearings of the
island, and that only because there is still treasure not yet lifted, I
take up my pen in the year of grace and go back to the time when
my father kept the Admiral Benbow inn and the brown old seaman with the
sabre cut first took up his lodging under our roof.
Which best explains Stevenson’s reason for beginning the chapter with this paragraph?
Stevenson creates confusion in the reader with a narrator who explains that he is writing a story because he has been asked to do so by several other characters.
Stevenson creates interest in the reader with mention of still undiscovered treasure and the arrival of a mysterious character in the narrator’s life.
Stevenson creates unease in the reader with a detailed account of the problem the main character has to overcome to reach a solution.
Stevenson creates a clear visual picture in the reader’s head with a strong description of the story’s setting without giving its actual location.
The best explanation for Stevenson’s reason for beginning the chapter with this paragraph is Stevenson creates interest in the reader with mention of still undiscovered treasure and the arrival of a mysterious character in the narrator’s life.
The mention of treasure, along with the introduction of the "brown old seaman with the sabre cut," immediately piques the reader's curiosity and sets the stage for adventure. It suggests that there is an intriguing story to unfold, making readers eager to learn more about the characters and the treasure they seek.
Read the excerpt from Chapter 28 of Moby-Dick.
It resembled that perpendicular seam sometimes made in the straight, lofty trunk of a great tree, when the upper lightning tearingly darts down it, and without wrenching a single twig, peels and grooves out the bark from top to bottom, ere running off into the soil, leaving the tree still greenly alive, but branded.
Melville’s description of Ahab’s scar in this excerpt best develops which theme in the novel?
the ability of humans to let go of past wounds
the harmony that exists between humans and nature
the ruling of a person’s present by their past wounds
the destructive power of technologies
It resembled that perpendicular seam sometimes made in the straight, lofty trunk of a great tree, when the upper lightning tearingly darts down it, and without wrenching a single twig, peels and grooves out the bark from top to bottom, ere running off into the soil, leaving the tree still greenly alive, but branded.
Melville’s description of Ahab’s scar in this excerpt best develops which theme in the novel?
the ability of humans to let go of past wounds
the harmony that exists between humans and nature
the ruling of a person’s present by their past wounds
the destructive power of technologies
Melville’s description of Ahab’s scar in this excerpt best develops the theme of the ruling of a person’s present by their past wounds.
The comparison of Ahab’s scar to the mark left by lightning on a tree emphasizes how his past experiences, particularly his encounter with the whale, have left a lasting and indelible mark on him. This mark serves as a symbol of his trauma and obsession, suggesting that his past continues to influence and govern his actions in the present.
Which best explains why Melville refers to Captain Ahab as “supreme lord and dictator” in the first paragraph of Chapter 28 of Moby-Dick?
to show that Captain Ahab trusts his crew to make decisions for him
to show that Captain Ahab distributes power equally among his crew
to show that Captain Ahab is the only decision maker on board the ship
to show that Captain Ahab is the only person allowed to work on deck
to show that Captain Ahab trusts his crew to make decisions for him
to show that Captain Ahab distributes power equally among his crew
to show that Captain Ahab is the only decision maker on board the ship
to show that Captain Ahab is the only person allowed to work on deck
The best explanation for why Melville refers to Captain Ahab as “supreme lord and dictator” in the first paragraph of Chapter 28 of Moby-Dick is to show that Captain Ahab is the only decision maker on board the ship.
This phrase emphasizes Ahab's absolute authority and control over the ship and its crew, indicating that he makes all significant decisions and has total command. This characterization reflects Ahab's dictatorial leadership style and his intense personal obsession with his quest for the white whale, which ultimately isolates him and underscores his role as a tragic figure.
Read the excerpt from the beginning of Chapter 1 of Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
SQUIRE TRELAWNEY, Dr. Livesey, and the rest of these gentlemen having
asked me to write down the whole particulars about Treasure Island, from
the beginning to the end, keeping nothing back but the bearings of the
island, and that only because there is still treasure not yet lifted, I
take up my pen in the year of grace and go back to the time when
my father kept the Admiral Benbow inn and the brown old seaman with the
sabre cut first took up his lodging under our roof.
Which best explains why the narrator mentions the gentleman’s names in the opening sentence?
to establish credibility, suggesting many want to hear his tale
to foreshadow the story’s ending, as personalities are revealed
to give background information on his father’s occupation
to help the reader visualize the inhabitants of the inn
SQUIRE TRELAWNEY, Dr. Livesey, and the rest of these gentlemen having
asked me to write down the whole particulars about Treasure Island, from
the beginning to the end, keeping nothing back but the bearings of the
island, and that only because there is still treasure not yet lifted, I
take up my pen in the year of grace and go back to the time when
my father kept the Admiral Benbow inn and the brown old seaman with the
sabre cut first took up his lodging under our roof.
Which best explains why the narrator mentions the gentleman’s names in the opening sentence?
to establish credibility, suggesting many want to hear his tale
to foreshadow the story’s ending, as personalities are revealed
to give background information on his father’s occupation
to help the reader visualize the inhabitants of the inn
The best explanation for why the narrator mentions the gentlemen’s names in the opening sentence is to establish credibility, suggesting many want to hear his tale.
By naming Squire Trelawney, Dr. Livesey, and the other gentlemen, the narrator demonstrates that reputable and influential people are interested in his story, which lends credibility to his account. It implies that the tale he is about to tell is worth listening to and may hold significance, as it has captured the attention of these notable figures.
1 answer