Lisa Stifler's Blog

Heroes or Fools

Zachary — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 05:15:55 +0000

Do you think that Ahab’s (and by extension, the Pequod and its crew’s) death should be considered a heroic attempt to defy Nature, and to defy fate, or should be viewed as a foolish and pointless attempt to defy these forces?

Law and The Pequod

Kennett — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 15:25:12 +0000

While contemplating murdering Ahab in ‘The Musket,’ Starbuck thinks to himself: “I stand alone here upon an open sea, with two oceans and a whole continent between me and law.” Until now, we’ve seen The Pequod as a microcosm of society with defined social hierarchies, racial tensions, and codes of behavior. And though the whalers have encountered mutinous ships, The Pequod’s crew has remained obedient and respectful to authority. Yet here Starbuck – arguably the most rational crew member – calls into question the value of law. Has the state of The Pequod deteriorated since departure, or has it always been a lawless environment? Does this represent a temporary lapse in character by Starbuck, or is the “Inferno” a living reality?

The Whale That Could Not Be Killed

Michael — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 16:37:11 +0000

Was Ahab’s quest for Moby Dick a pointless endeavor? Could he have done something differently for the quest to result in success? If it was possible to capture Moby Dick, what characteristics would Ahab have needed to exhibit?

Man vs. Nature

Michael — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 16:27:34 +0000

What does the fate of the Pequod’s crew suggest about man’s interactions with nature?

Starbuck and Ahab

Kassa — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 01:18:57 +0000

The exchanges between Starbuck and Ahab during the Pequod’s journey were often hostile and volatile. Nonetheless, Ahab always managed to maintain to “control” Starbuck’s dissenting behavior, even at times when it was obvious Ahab had gone off the right course. Thus, why did Starbuck remain submissive to Ahab throughout the novel? What prevented him from leading mutiny?

Signs of the Pequod’s Doom

Kassa — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 01:13:20 +0000

Throughout Moby Dick, there were several suspicious signs and omens that foreshadowed the Pequod’s ultimate doom. Whether it was the carpenter making a life-buoy out of Queequeg’s coffin, or a bird coming up and taking Ahab’s hat, or the human-like noises many of the crew heard at sea, many other captains would have turned back around and stopped persuing Moby Dick. Thus why did the crew ignore these signs; why did the Pequod sail on? What dynamics involved here led to the Pequod’s ignorance, or maybe even acceptance of their doom?

Jump Ship

Walt — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:27:24 +0000

Of all the ships encountered throughout The Whale, which would you most like to be on? Did the gams alter your perspective of the Pequod, and did you think that the gams altered the perspectives of the crew?

Epic Ending?

Walt — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:24:38 +0000

Did the ending of The Whale disappoint you, or did you find it a just finale of the book? Did Ahab’s choice to pursue Moby Dick, despite the numerous warnings he had received from both the crew and other ships, not once, but three times, alter your view of his character as captain?

Courtney — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:05:49 +0000

In 1 or 2 sentences, what do you think is Melville’s main message in Moby Dick?

Mob Mentality

Sam — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 23:09:57 +0000

Do you think that it was Ahab’s fault for leading the Pequod into the battle with Moby Dick or do you think it was the members of the Pequod who are at fault for letting Ahab lead them into the battle with Moby Dick?