St. John’s College (Annapolis/ Santa Fe) opening questions for the an extra book from the reading list of the Great Books — Moby Dick

St. John’s College uses the famous Great Book series as the foundation of its curriculum. The College has a set curriculum for most of the program. A few “electives” called Tutorials can be picked by students in the last two years of the program.

This is the fifth blog post on this series of posts.

One of the key aspects of the program is the seminar. Seminars begin when one of two tutors asks an opening question. The questions are usually at the discretion of the tutors.

Here are at least two opening seminar questions for each of the books from the St. John’s College program for Moby Dick. In a sense, this blog post is an extra post in the series I have been posting recently.

Moby Dick is no longer on the St. John’s College reading list. But it used to be. Why do you think that is?

Below are some questions that could be opening questions for a St. John’s College seminar on Moby Dick.

1. What is the significance of the title “Moby Dick”?
2. How does the whale serve as a symbol throughout the novel?
3. How does Melville use the character of Captain Ahab to explore the theme of obsession?
4. In what ways does Melville explore the theme of identity in the novel?
5. What is the significance of the character Ishmael being a narrator?
6. How does Melville use religion and biblical references in the novel?
7. What is the role of the sea and the ship in the novel?
8. How does the character Queequeg challenge traditional notions of race and identity?
9. What is the significance of the character Starbuck’s moral dilemma?
10. How does Melville use humor in the novel?
11. What is the significance of the character Pip’s journey in the novel?
12. How does Melville explore the theme of justice in the novel?
13. In what ways does the novel reflect the historical context of the time period in which it was written?
14. What is the role of women in the novel?
15. How does Melville use symbolism to explore the theme of death and mortality?
16. What is the significance of the character Fedallah and his relationship with Ahab?
17. In what ways does Melville explore the theme of madness in the novel?
18. How does the character of Moby Dick evolve throughout the novel?
19. What is the role of fate and destiny in the novel?
20. How does Melville use the character of Ishmael to comment on society?
21. What is the significance of the character Tashtego and his relationship with the whale?
22. How does the character of Ahab represent the dangers of unchecked ambition?
23. What is the significance of the character Stubb and his relationship with the whale?
24. How does the character of Queequeg challenge traditional notions of masculinity?
25. How does Melville use the character of Elijah to comment on the nature of evil?
26. What is the significance of the character Bulkington and his relationship with the sea?
27. How does the novel explore the theme of revenge?
28. What is the role of nature in the novel?
29. How does Melville use the character of the Parsee to explore the theme of redemption?
30. In what ways does Melville use the character of Ishmael to challenge traditional notions of authority?
31. What is the significance of the character Ahab’s peg leg?
32. How does the novel explore the theme of power and control?
33. How does the novel explore the theme of isolation and loneliness?
34. What is the significance of the character Fedallah and his prophecies?
35. In what ways does the novel explore the theme of religion and spirituality?
36. How does the character of Ahab represent the dangers of ego and self-importance?
37. What is the significance of the character Flask and his relationship with the whale?
38. How does Melville use the character of the Carpenter to explore the theme of craftsmanship?
39. In what ways does the novel explore the theme of morality and ethics?
40. What is the significance of the character of Queequeg’s coffin?
41. How does the novel explore the theme of masculinity and gender roles?
42. What is the role of storytelling and mythology in the novel?
43. How does the novel explore the theme of fear?
44. How does Melville use the character of Ahab to explore the theme of leadership?
45. What is the significance of the character of Moby Dick as a white whale?
46. How does the novel explore the theme of camaraderie and friendship?
47. What is the significance of Ishmael’s decision to sign on as a sailor aboard the Pequod?
48. How does Melville use the character of Queequeg to explore themes of race and religion in Moby Dick?
49. In what ways does the character of Ahab embody the themes of obsession and revenge in the novel?
50. How does Melville use symbolism to create a sense of foreboding and foreshadowing throughout Moby Dick?
51. What is the significance of the white whale in Moby Dick, and how does it function as a symbol throughout the novel?
52. How does the setting of the whaling industry in the mid-19th century inform the themes and events of Moby Dick?
53. What is the role of language and narration in Moby Dick, and how does Melville use these elements to shape the reader’s understanding of the story?
54. How does Melville use the technique of the frame narrative to structure Moby Dick, and what effect does this have on the reader’s experience of the novel?
55. What is the significance of the different whaling traditions and superstitions described in Moby Dick, and how do they contribute to the novel’s overall themes?
56. How does the relationship between Ishmael and Queequeg evolve throughout the novel, and what does it reveal about the themes of friendship and companionship in Moby Dick?
57. How does Melville use the character of Starbuck to explore themes of morality and conscience in Moby Dick?
58. What is the significance of the Pequod’s journey to the Equator in Moby Dick, and how does it contribute to the novel’s overall themes and symbolism?
59. How does Melville use the structure of the novel to build tension and suspense, particularly in the lead-up to the encounter with the white whale?
60. How does Melville use the theme of madness throughout Moby Dick, and what does it reveal about the human psyche?
61. In what ways does Melville use the character of Captain Ahab to explore themes of leadership and authority in Moby Dick?
62. How does Melville use the setting of the sea and the whaling ship to create a sense of claustrophobia and confinement in Moby Dick?
63. How does the use of different types of narration, including first-person, third-person, and the omniscient narrator, contribute to the overall structure and themes of Moby Dick?
64. What is the significance of the different types of whales described in Moby Dick, and how do they function as symbols throughout the novel?
65. How does Melville use the character of Ishmael to explore themes of identity and belonging in Moby Dick?
66. In what ways does Melville use the themes of nature and the natural world to underscore the themes and events of Moby Dick?
67. How does Melville use the character of Pip to explore themes of race and identity in Moby Dick?
68. What is the significance of the different types of boats and whaling equipment described in Moby Dick, and how do they contribute to the novel’s overall themes and symbolism?
69. How does the use of foreshadowing throughout Moby Dick contribute to the reader’s understanding of the novel’s themes and events?
70. How does Melville use the concept of fate and destiny in Moby Dick, and what does it reveal about the human condition?
71. In what ways does Melville use the theme of sacrifice throughout Moby Dick, and how does it contribute to the novel’s overall themes and symbolism?
72. In Moby Dick, what role does religion play in the characters’ lives and in their experiences at sea?
73. What does the character of Ahab represent in the novel? Is he a tragic hero, a madman, or something else entirely?
74. What is the significance of the whale in Moby Dick? What does it represent to different characters, and how does their relationship with the whale change over the course of the novel?
75. What is the function of the narrator, Ishmael, in Moby Dick? How does his perspective shape the reader’s understanding of the events of the novel?
76. How does Melville use language and style in Moby Dick to convey the experience of life at sea and the characters’ relationships to each other and to the natural world?
77. What is the role of women in Moby Dick, both in terms of the characters in the novel and in Melville’s larger themes and ideas?
78. What does the novel suggest about the relationship between humanity and the natural world? Is there a sense of harmony or conflict between the two?
79. In what ways does Moby Dick reflect Melville’s own life experiences and worldview? How does the novel relate to other literary works of its time?
80. How does Melville use symbolism in Moby Dick to explore themes of power, identity, and morality?
81. What is the significance of the novel’s structure, including the use of different narrators and the digressions into whaling history and lore?
82. What is the role of race in Moby Dick, particularly in relation to the character of Queequeg and his interactions with other characters on the Pequod?
83. How does Melville portray the physical and psychological effects of life at sea, particularly the experiences of isolation, danger, and the relentless pursuit of the whale?
84. How does the novel explore the theme of obsession, both in terms of Ahab’s quest for revenge against the whale and in the characters’ broader relationships to their own desires and goals?
85. What is the significance of the novel’s many references to Shakespeare and other literary works, and how do these references relate to the themes and ideas of Moby Dick?
86. What does the novel suggest about the nature of human ambition and the pursuit of greatness, particularly in the face of mortality and the inevitability of failure?
87. How does the character of Captain Ahab compare to other literary figures, such as Oedipus or Faust, who have similarly pursued a single goal at great cost to themselves and others?
88. What is the role of nature in Moby Dick, both as a physical setting and as a metaphor for larger themes and ideas in the novel?
89. How does the novel explore the theme of free will versus determinism, particularly in relation to the characters’ relationships with fate and the natural world?
90. What is the significance of the novel’s various settings, from the sea to the whaling towns to the ship itself, and how do these locations shape the characters and their experiences?
91. How does the novel portray the different social hierarchies and power structures that exist on the Pequod and in the wider world of whaling?
92. In what ways does the novel critique the culture and practices of whaling, particularly in terms of the impact on the natural world and on individual human lives?
93. How does Melville use humor and irony in Moby Dick, and what is the function of these elements in relation to the novel’s larger themes and ideas?
94. How does the novel portray the relationship between the individual and the community, particularly in terms of the dynamics of the crew of the Pequod?
95. In what ways does Captain Ahab’s monomaniacal pursuit of the white whale reflect the broader themes of obsession and madness in Moby Dick? How does Melville use Ahab’s character to explore the human desire to conquer nature and the consequences of unchecked ambition?
96. How does Melville use the figure of the whale to explore the relationship between humans and the natural world in Moby Dick? What symbolic meanings does the whale hold in the novel, and how do different characters interpret its significance?
97. How does Melville use different narrative techniques, such as the use of multiple narrators and genres, to structure and convey meaning in Moby Dick? What effects do these techniques have on the reader’s experience of the novel?
98. How does the theme of revenge function in Moby Dick, and how does Melville explore its complexities and consequences? How do characters like Ahab, Ishmael, and Starbuck grapple with the moral implications of seeking vengeance?
99. What role do race and colonialism play in Moby Dick, and how does Melville explore these issues through the character of Queequeg and other non-white characters? How does the novel engage with the cultural and political contexts of the mid-19th century?
100. How does Melville use humor and irony in Moby Dick, and what functions do these elements serve in the novel? How do they complicate and deepen the novel’s themes and characters?