Questions About Moby-Dick or, The Whale

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Answered Questions (39)

Very epic tale yet sometimes difficult to read/understand. Some pages you may have to read a few times to follow but with patience you will be glad you did. Moby Dick is not a book you will read and finish over a weekend. Curious how long it took some others to finish this tale?

Jose Frias Corrales I have started reading Moby Dick for the second time. I have a habit of writing the dates I start and end a book on the first page. The first time I r…moreI have started reading Moby Dick for the second time. I have a habit of writing the dates I start and end a book on the first page. The first time I read Moby Dick I started on May 1, 2004, and ended it April 5, 2006. That's almost two years! My goal, this time, is to finish the book in one month, wish me luck!(less)

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What are your opinions on what Moby Dick (the whale not the book) symbolizes? I think that Moby Dick could be a reflection of each character (Ahab sees the whale as evil, he is evil), or it could symbolize America's conquest to "conquer" nature. What do you think?

Karysa The "whiteness" of the whale is meant to represent the terrifying "nothingness" that creeps up upon everyone at some point. This is an example of exis…moreThe "whiteness" of the whale is meant to represent the terrifying "nothingness" that creeps up upon everyone at some point. This is an example of existentialism because Ahab is desperate to find God and prove to himself that life isn't just a practical joke on us all and that suffering isn't meaningless. When Ahab talks about "pushing through the mask" its really just his way of saying he wants to conquer Moby-Dick, conquer the "nothingness," and discover if God is real and whether or not he is good. (less)

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Am I the only person that was confused about the main character; if (he) was a boy or a girl? At the beginning it talked about a purse and I was very confused. But (obviously) I know now what gender is I just want to know if I was the only person who was confused?

Elmer Romero Purse can also mean 'a sum of money given as a prize in a sporting contest, especially a boxing match'.…morePurse can also mean 'a sum of money given as a prize in a sporting contest, especially a boxing match'.(less)

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is there anyone else out there who thinks Moby Dick is a comedy, in the sense that many of Mark Twain's books are? I laughed all the way through it each time I read it.

Gita Madhu It is indeed comical in several places. And, in fact, far from the tragic tale some make it out to be.

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Moby Dick gets a cumulative 3.42 stars on Good Reads? Note to self: NEVER EVER trust any of the reviews on Good Reads.

Shake Speare I agree, it's too high. If it included more chapters on whale anatomy, specifically orca blowholes, THEN it could be a 3.42.…moreI agree, it's too high. If it included more chapters on whale anatomy, specifically orca blowholes, THEN it could be a 3.42.(less)

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