Question

Select the correct answer.

Based on the following excerpt, in what ways does the whale serve as a contextual symbol for humanity in Herman Melville’s Moby-
A.
The whale symbolizes the character’s anger about being out on the ocean.
B.
The whale, described as white, symbolizes the purity of humanity’s intentions.
C.
Because the whale is so evasive, it becomes a symbol of humanity’s struggle with discovering the meaning of life.
D.
Because the whale is described as white, it becomes a symbol of humanity’s passion for discovering new things.

Answer 1

The white whale in 'Moby Diсk' symbolically represents humanity's struggle for meaning and the dangers of obsession, not purity or a mere desire to discover new things.

Step-by-step explanation:

In Herman Melville’s Moby Diсk, the white whale serves as a contextual symbol for humanity's struggle with discovering the meaning of life and the perils of individual obsession. The quest of Captain Ahab for Moby Diсk, which becomes a personalized vendetta, symbolizes an all-consuming pursuit that can lead to one's self-destruction. Ahab's monomaniacal journey mirrors the dangerous extremes of individualism criticized by contemporaries of Melville, such as Edgar Allan Poe. It is not about anger with the ocean (A) or purity of intentions (B), but rather the elusiveness of the whale which represents the elusive nature of meaning and knowledge (C). The white whale does not primarily symbolize humanity's passion for discovery (D), but highlights the darker aspects of human psyche and the need for introspection.