Chapter 74 - The Sperm Whale's Head - Contrasted View Practice Quiz — Moby-Dick; or, The Whale
by Herman Melville — tap or click to flip
Practice Quiz: Chapter 74 - The Sperm Whale's Head - Contrasted View
What two whale species does Ishmael compare in Chapter 74?
The Sperm Whale and the Right Whale—the only two species regularly hunted by man.
What physical feature does Ishmael say the Sperm Whale's head has that the Right Whale's lacks?
A "certain mathematical symmetry" and more "character" and "pervading dignity."
What does the pepper-and-salt coloring at the summit of the sperm whale's head indicate?
Advanced age and large experience—fishermen call such a whale a "grey-headed whale."
Where are the sperm whale's eyes located on its head?
Far back on the side of the head and low down, near the angle of the jaw.
What human body part does Ishmael compare the whale's eye position to?
A man's ears—the whale's eyes are positioned where human ears would be, forcing sideways vision.
Roughly how many degrees of forward vision can the whale command on each side?
About thirty degrees in advance of the straight side-line of sight, and about thirty degrees behind it.
Why does Ishmael say the whale effectively has "two backs" and "two fronts"?
Because its eyes cannot see directly ahead or astern, only sideways—so each side functions as both a front and a back.
What separates the visual impressions of the whale's two eyes?
Many cubic feet of solid head, which Ishmael compares to "a great mountain separating two lakes in valleys."
How does Ishmael contrast human and whale "windows" of vision?
Man looks out from "a sentry-box with two joined sashes," while the whale has "two distinct windows" separately inserted.
What intellectual feat does Ishmael compare to the whale processing two visual fields simultaneously?
A man simultaneously going through "the demonstrations of two distinct problems in Euclid."
What whale behavior does Ishmael attribute to divided vision?
The "extraordinary vacillations of movement" and "queer frights" whales show when surrounded by boats—a "helpless perplexity of volition."
How small is the whale's ear?
So minute that you can "hardly insert a quill" into it; it is lodged a little behind the eye.
What is the key difference between the sperm whale's and right whale's ears?
The sperm whale's ear has an external opening; the right whale's is entirely covered over with a membrane, invisible from outside.
What does Ishmael advise instead of trying to "enlarge" your mind?
"Subtilize it"—refine and sharpen perception rather than seek greater capacity.
What does Ishmael compare the inside of the sperm whale's mouth to?
A "beautiful and chaste-looking mouth" lined with a glistening white membrane "glossy as bridal satins."
What does Ishmael compare the sperm whale's lower jaw to?
"The long narrow lid of an immense snuff-box, with the hinge at one end."
What does the lower jaw's rows of teeth resemble when exposed?
A "terrific portcullis"—a spiked gate that falls with impaling force.
What does Ishmael say about a whale floating with its jaw hanging straight down?
It is not dead but "only dispirited; out of sorts, perhaps; hypochondriac"—with relaxed jaw hinges.
How many teeth does the sperm whale generally have?
Forty-two teeth, much worn down in old whales but undecayed and unfilled.
Which three harpooneers extract the sperm whale's teeth?
Queequeg, Daggoo, and Tashtego—described as "all accomplished dentists."
What are the ivory teeth fashioned into?
Canes, umbrella-sticks, and handles to riding-whips.
What does Ishmael compare to the "great Kentucky Mammoth Cave"?
The sperm whale's stomach, which one could theoretically descend into with a lantern.
What tool does Queequeg use to lance the gums before extracting teeth?
A keen cutting-spade.
What does Ishmael compare dragging out the whale's teeth to?
"Michigan oxen drag stumps of old oaks out of wild woodlands."