Chapter 84 - Pitchpoling Quiz — Moby-Dick; or, The Whale

by Herman Melville

Comprehension Quiz: Chapter 84 - Pitchpoling

What does Queequeg do to his boat at the beginning of Chapter 84?

  • Repairs a crack in the hull
  • Greases the bottom of the boat
  • Paints new markings on the bow
  • Sharpens the harpoons stored inside

To what historical event does Melville compare the fleeing whales?

  • The fall of Troy
  • The retreat at Actium
  • The sinking of the Armada
  • The siege of Carthage

Who plants the first harpoon in the running whale?

  • Queequeg
  • Stubb
  • Tashtego
  • Daggoo

Why does pitchpoling become necessary in this chapter?

  • The whale is too deep underwater to reach
  • The whale is swimming too fast to approach for a conventional lance
  • The harpoons have all been lost
  • The boat has been damaged and cannot maneuver

What material is the pitchpoling lance staff made from?

  • Oak
  • Iron
  • Pine
  • Bamboo

Approximately how long is the pitchpoling lance?

  • Five to six feet
  • Ten to twelve feet
  • Twenty feet
  • Thirty feet

What is the "warp" attached to the pitchpoling lance?

  • A metal chain for added weight
  • A small rope for hauling the lance back
  • A leather grip for better throwing
  • A flag to mark the whale's position

What quality makes Stubb especially suited for pitchpoling?

  • His exceptional physical strength
  • His coolness and equanimity in emergencies
  • His years of experience at sea
  • His sharp eyesight

What does Melville compare Stubb to as he balances the lance?

  • A fencer with a rapier
  • A juggler balancing a staff on his chin
  • A soldier aiming a musket
  • An archer drawing a bow

How far ahead of the boat is the whale when Stubb throws the lance?

  • Ten feet
  • Twenty feet
  • Forty feet
  • One hundred feet

What happens when the lance strikes the whale's life spot?

  • The whale sounds immediately
  • The whale spouts red blood
  • The whale breaks free from the harpoon
  • The whale turns to attack the boat

What holiday does Stubb reference in his celebratory speech?

  • Christmas
  • Easter
  • The Fourth of July
  • Thanksgiving

What simile describes the lance returning to Stubb after each throw?

  • Like a boomerang through the air
  • Like a greyhound held in skilful leash
  • Like a falcon returning to its master
  • Like a pendulum swinging back

What does Stubb do after the whale enters its death flurry?

  • He throws the lance one final time
  • He shouts orders to the crew
  • He folds his hands and silently watches
  • He dives into the water

Which German ship is mentioned as having recently disappeared?

  • The Albatross
  • The Rachel
  • The Jungfrau
  • The Delight

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