Moby Dick: Discussion Questions

  Discussion Questions:
  1. Define the following words and phrases: harpoon, "Saint Elmo's fire," "to sound" [as in the whale has sounded], "to render" [as in rendering the whale's fat]; albino; trance.
  2. What brought Quequeg out of his trance?
  3. After Captain Ahab had died why did Mr. Starbuck order the men to go after Moby Dick?
  4. How was Captain Ahab like the biblical King Ahab? What was the false god that Captan Ahab worshipped? What should he have done, rather than pursue the White Whale?
  5. Compare the story of Moby Dick to the stories of Jonah and of King Ahab.

Questions over the Movie

  1. Was there something you didn't understand about the movie? [Knowledge]
  2. What did you like best about the movie? Why? [Comprehension]
  3. Why did [pick a character] do [select an action]? What motivated him? [Analysis]
  4. Is there something you would change about the plot? If so, what is it? Why would you make that change? [Analysis & Synthesis]
  5. Who was your favorite character in the movie? Why? [Evaluation]