5 Questions
Who is the storyteller in Moby Dick?
Ishmael
Why did Captain Ahab lose his leg?
Moby Dick bit it off
What was the main goal of the Pequod's crew?
To hunt and kill as many whales as possible
What happened to Captain Ahab and his crew?
They were drowned when Moby Dick attacked the Pequod
Who is the only survivor of the Pequod?
Ishmael
Study Notes
Moby Dick
- Written by American author Herman Melville in 1851
- Story of Captain Ahab's hunt for the great white whale, Moby Dick
- Told by crew member Ishmael on Captain Ahab's ship, the Pequod
Captain Ahab
- Mad sea captain with a false leg
- Lost his real leg on a previous whale hunting trip when Moby Dick bit it off
- Only desire is revenge on Moby Dick
The Pequod
- Whaling ship with a crew from many different countries
- Original mission: to kill as many whales as possible and make money from whale oil
- Captain Ahab orders the crew to hunt only Moby Dick, making the crew unhappy
The Story's Climax
- The Pequod finds Moby Dick, and Captain Ahab orders an attack
- Moby Dick attacks the Pequod and sinks it
- Ahab and his crew are drowned, except for Ishmael who is saved by a passing ship
Themes and Character Analysis
- Complex character of Captain Ahab, evoking both sympathy and anger
- Moby Dick is an exciting and powerful story, providing insight into whales and life at sea on a whaling ship
Explore the classic adventure novel by Herman Melville, published in 1851, which tells the story of Captain Ahab's hunt for the great white whale, Moby Dick.
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