Chapter 49 - The Hyena Quiz — Moby-Dick; or, The Whale

by Herman Melville

Comprehension Quiz: Chapter 49 - The Hyena

What event immediately precedes the opening of Chapter 49?

  • The Pequod encounters a typhoon
  • Ishmael's whaleboat is swamped during a squall
  • Ahab holds a ceremony on the quarter-deck
  • The crew spots the White Whale for the first time

How does Queequeg respond when Ishmael asks if capsizings happen often?

  • He expresses great alarm and concern
  • He says it has never happened to him before
  • He confirms without much emotion that such things often happen
  • He refuses to answer and walks away

What is Stubb doing when Ishmael questions him about Starbuck's prudence?

  • Repairing the damaged whaleboat
  • Calmly smoking his pipe in the rain
  • Shouting orders to the crew
  • Wringing out his wet clothing

What nickname does Ishmael use for Flask?

  • Old Thunder
  • King-Post
  • Little King
  • Dough-Boy

According to Flask, what is the 'unalterable law' of the fishery?

  • No man may refuse to lower for a whale
  • The captain always steers the lead boat
  • An oarsman must row back-foremost into death's jaws
  • Each boat must carry a spare harpoon

Whom does Ishmael chiefly blame for the disaster to his boat?

  • Queequeg, for poor harpooning
  • Stubb, for reckless commands
  • Starbuck, for driving into a whale near a squall
  • Flask, for ignoring weather signs

What three roles does Ishmael assign to Queequeg regarding his will?

  • Witness, notary, and beneficiary
  • Lawyer, executor, and legatee
  • Captain, mate, and chaplain
  • Scribe, guardian, and heir

How many times has Ishmael previously drafted a will?

  • This is his first time
  • Twice before
  • Three times before (fourth total)
  • Five times before

To what biblical figure does Ishmael compare himself after writing his will?

  • Jonah
  • Job
  • Lazarus
  • Noah

What metaphor does Ishmael use for someone who accepts all hardships without complaint?

  • A lion swallowing thorns
  • An ostrich of potent digestion gobbling bullets and gun flints
  • A camel crossing an endless desert
  • A whale diving into the deep

How does Ishmael describe the 'desperado philosophy' of whaling?

  • A bitter and resentful acceptance of fate
  • A free and easy sort of genial, desperado philosophy
  • A religious devotion to the sea gods
  • A strict code of honor among sailors

How does Ishmael feel after completing his will?

  • Anxious and filled with dread
  • Angry at his crewmates for their indifference
  • Relieved, as though a stone was rolled away from his heart
  • Determined to abandon the voyage at the next port

What does Ishmael mean by saying 'I survived myself'?

  • He physically recovered from drowning
  • He symbolically accepted his death by writing his will, so his remaining life feels like a bonus
  • He proved himself stronger than his crewmates
  • He decided to leave the whaling profession

What is Ishmael's final declaration at the end of the chapter?

  • He vows revenge against the White Whale
  • He prays for safe passage home
  • He resolves on a cool, collected dive at death and destruction
  • He asks to be transferred to another ship

Comprehension Quiz

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