Chapter 10 - A Bosom Friend Practice Quiz — Moby-Dick; or, The Whale
by Herman Melville — tap or click to flip
Practice Quiz: Chapter 10 - A Bosom Friend
What is Queequeg doing when Ishmael returns to the Spouter-Inn from the chapel?
Queequeg is sitting by the fire, whittling the nose of his small wooden idol with a jack-knife while humming to himself.
What does Queequeg do with the large book he picks up at the inn?
He counts the pages in groups of fifty, expressing astonishment at the book's length, though he cannot read it.
What do Ishmael and Queequeg share that helps thaw the "ice of indifference" between them?
They share a social smoke from Queequeg's tomahawk-pipe, passing it regularly between them.
How does Queequeg declare his friendship with Ishmael?
Queequeg presses his forehead against Ishmael's, clasps him around the waist, and says they are now "married" — meaning bosom friends who would die for each other.
What gifts does Queequeg give Ishmael after supper?
Queequeg gives Ishmael his embalmed head and half of his thirty silver dollars, pouring the coins into Ishmael's trouser pockets.
What does Ishmael do when Queequeg begins his evening idol-worship?
Ishmael joins Queequeg in worshipping the idol, helping prop it up, offering burnt biscuit, and kissing its nose.
How does the chapter end?
Ishmael and Queequeg go to bed together and lie chatting intimately, described as a "cosy, loving pair" in their "hearts' honeymoon."
To whom does Ishmael compare Queequeg's head, and what qualifier does he add?
Ishmael compares Queequeg's head to George Washington's as seen in popular busts, calling him "George Washington cannibalistically developed."
What qualities does Ishmael see in Queequeg despite his tattooed appearance?
Ishmael sees a simple honest heart, fiery bold eyes suggesting a daring spirit, and a lofty bearing — the demeanor of a man who has never cringed or had a creditor.
How does Ishmael describe Queequeg's social behavior at the inn?
Queequeg never consorts with the other seamen, makes no advances to enlarge his acquaintances, and remains entirely at ease with his own companionship.
What transformation does Ishmael undergo in this chapter?
Ishmael moves from cautious observation to deep emotional connection, feeling a "melting" inside and resolving to try a pagan friend since Christian kindness proved hollow.
What church was Ishmael raised in?
Ishmael was born and bred in the Presbyterian Church, which he describes as "infallible."
How does Chapter 10 challenge the distinction between civilization and savagery?
Ishmael finds that the supposedly "savage" Queequeg is more honest and genuine than civilized Christians, whose kindness he dismisses as "hollow courtesy" full of "hypocrisies and bland deceits."
What role does religious tolerance play in this chapter?
Ishmael uses the Golden Rule to justify joining Queequeg's idol-worship, arguing that if he would want Queequeg to join Presbyterian worship, he must reciprocate — a radical statement of interfaith respect.
How does the chapter portray friendship versus social convention?
Queequeg's sudden, total commitment to friendship would seem premature by Western standards, but Ishmael accepts it because Queequeg's sincerity makes "old rules" inapplicable.
What does Ishmael mean when he says Queequeg's indifference spoke "a nature in which there lurked no civilized hypocrisies"?
Queequeg's lack of social pretense reveals his authenticity; unlike civilized people who perform politeness, Queequeg's behavior reflects his genuine inner nature.
What literary device does Melville use in calling Queequeg "George Washington cannibalistically developed"?
This is an example of irony and juxtaposition, elevating Queequeg through comparison to America's founding hero while the modifier "cannibalistically" creates comic and subversive tension.
What type of reasoning does Ishmael use to justify idol-worship?
Ishmael uses a syllogism (formal logical reasoning): worship means doing God's will; God's will is the Golden Rule; therefore, he must join Queequeg's worship as he'd want Queequeg to join his.
How does Melville use imagery to create atmosphere in the fireside scene?
Melville describes the dying fire, evening shadows gathering round the casements and "peering in," and the storm "booming without in solemn swells" to create an intimate, contemplative mood.
What does "remonstrate" mean as used in this chapter?
To remonstrate means to protest or object. Ishmael was going to remonstrate against receiving Queequeg's money but was silenced when Queequeg poured coins into his pockets.
What does "casement" refer to in the chapter?
A casement is a window or window frame that opens on hinges. Ishmael pretends to look out at the storm through the casement while actually watching Queequeg.
What does "salamed" mean in context?
To salam (or salaam) means to bow deeply as a gesture of respect, from the Arabic greeting. Ishmael salamed before Queequeg's idol as part of joining the worship ritual.
Who says or thinks: "I'll try a pagan friend, since Christian kindness has proved but hollow courtesy"?
Ishmael thinks this as he watches Queequeg by the fire, marking his decision to abandon the pretenses of civilized society and embrace genuine human connection.
What does Ishmael mean by "No more my splintered heart and maddened hand were turned against the wolfish world"?
Ishmael means that Queequeg's calming presence has healed his anger and alienation from the harsh, predatory world — this "soothing savage" has redeemed it.
What is the significance of "in our hearts' honeymoon, lay I and Queequeg — a cosy, loving pair"?
This closing line uses marital imagery to emphasize the depth and intimacy of their new friendship, comparing the early joy of their bond to the bliss of newlyweds.