1. What is the point of Ishmael noting that each whale is known by a particular name by most whalers whereas every whaler who dies is forgotten by the world? Are the whales more important or more glorified than the whalers? Ishmael's anger toward this injustice is evident when he says, "For God's sake, be economical with your lamps and candles! not a gallon you burn, but at least one drop of man's blood was spilled for it"(172).
2. Melville personifies sperm whales in more than one instance. On page 174, Ishmael recounts the story of the Commodore's ship almost sinking after an encounter with a sperm whale. How does Melville's comparison between the Commodore and St. Paul show personify or deify the whale?
3. How has Ahab transformed himself into a dictator? Melville describes Starbuck's captivation with Ahab as a "magnet at Starbuck's brain"(177). Can any comparisons be drawn between other fascist dictators and Ahab?
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