Mrs. Lamp
Fall 2014
Moby Dick Study Guide 1-16
Chapters 1 and 2
cataract – a waterfall
circumambulate – to walk around
congealed – gelled; solidified
dubious – doubtful
extant – in existence
infallibly – without error
insular – island–like; isolated
involuntarily – without willingness
metaphysical – supernatural
palsied – shaky
tribulation – a problem, difficulty
1. Ishmael gives an interesting reason for going to sea. What is it, and what does it show about
his character?
2. Why would Melville choose the name “Ishmael”? Look into the Ishmael of the Bible.
Chapters 3 and 4
ablutions – washings
beseeching – pleading with
delineate – to explain
diabolic – evil
dint – by means of
expostulations – strong objections
incessant – unending
indecorous – tasteless; unpleasant-looking
labyrinth – a maze
sublimity – spirituality
1. One of the first things Ishmael notices upon entering the inn is a painting. What does this
painting depict and what does it foreshadow?
2. Why is Ishmael afraid after hearing about his bedmate?
3. What about Queequeg’s appearance does Ishmael find disturbing?
4. What does he say when he eventually decides to get over it?
5. How is Queequeg described? Should we fear “the other” (anyone different from us)?
Chapters 5 and 6
bountiful – plentiful
congregated – collected together
imminent – about to happen
omnipotent – all-powerful
opulent – luxurious
sallied – went forth
1. What surprises Ishmael about the men at breakfast?
2. What reason does Ishmael give for New Bedford’s prosperity?
Chapters 7 and 8
countenance – the face
dexterity – skill
doleful – sad
engrafted – implanted
forfeiture – the giving up of something
impregnable – unable to be overtaken
imputable – able to be credited to
incredulous – astounded; not believing
maritime – related to the sea
murky – dismally dark
tarpaulin– a covering
verdure – green growth
1. What is the focus of attention in the church as Ishmael makes his entrance?
2. What do these items foreshadow?
3. Find one other example of foreshadowing in Chapter 7.
4. Explain the simile, “Faith, like a jackal, feeds among the tombs”
5. Explain the following metaphor: “Yes, the world’s a ship on its passage out, and not a
voyage complete; and the pulpit is its prow.”
Chapters 9 and 10
annihilation – destruction
benediction – a blessing
consorted – made friends with
contemptible – worthless; dishonorable
counterfeit – false
dyspeptic – gloomy; irritable
heathenish – like a pagan or disbeliever
parricide – the killing of a parent
promontories – jutting land formations
remonstrate – to object; decline
stanza – a section of a poem or song
uncouthness – clumsiness; ruggedness
1. What Biblical story does Father Mapple use as a basis for his sermon?
Note: Father Mapple’s sermon foreshadows Ahab’s death. In order to survive, the key figure in the
Bible story must allow God to win. Ahab cannot and will not do this. “[W]oe to that pilot of the living
God who slights it. Woe to him whom this world charms from Gospel duty! Woe to him who seeks
to pour oil upon the waters when God has brewed them into a gale! Woe to him who seeks to
please rather than to appal! Woe to him whose good name is more to him than goodness! Woe to
him who, in this world, courts not dishonor! Woe to him who would not be true, even though to be
false were salvation! Yea, woe to him who, as the great Pilot Paul has it, while preaching to others
is himself a castaway!”
2. Copy down what Ishmael says about why he finally decide sto befriend Queequeg.
3. In this famous line, in what way is Melville taking a jab at Christians?
4. On what logical basis does Ishmael join in Queequeg’s ritual?
Chapters 11 and 12
confabulation – a conversation
dauntlessness – lack of fear
idolater – a heathen; worshipper of idols
propensity – a tendency
revulsion – a sudden change of feeling
undulating – waving
vitiated – spoiled
1. Why does Ishmael smoke from Queequeg’s pipe, despite being repulsed by Queequeg’s
smoking at first?
2. What was/is Queequeg’s status among his people?
3. Why was Queequeg eager to leave his island?
4. Why was he disappointed in his quest?
5. Why doesn’t Queequeg want to return home?
Chapters 13 and 14
circumnavigation – circling
consternation – confusion
hillock – a little rise of land
magnanimous – generous
punctilious – exact; particular
Note: Please pay attention to the heavy use of simile and personification in these chapters. This is
part of his style (using figurative language).
1. What two people are mean to Queequeg when he first boards the Moss (the first boat
Ishmael and Queequeg board together)?
2. What does Queequeg then do during the storm, and what does this show about his
character?
3. How does the Native American ledged about the founding of Nantucket demonstrate Dark
Romanticism’s views about nature?
Chapters 15 and 16
acquiesce – to give in
asserted – swore
impenitent – not sorry
indolence – laziness
innuendo – hint
oblique – indirect
sagacity – wise knowledge
sauntering – wandering about at an
unhurried pace
stultifying – stupid
1. What premonitions does Ishmael have? (These are obvious examples of foreshadowing.)
2. What is the name of Queequeg’s idol?
3. Why is the selection of the ship left up to Ishmael?
4. How is Captain Peleg different from Captain Bildad (both of these men are co-owners of the
Peqoud)? Note: Melville is making fun of Quakers here, saying that they are overly fervent
about their religion and that they are really cheap!