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What does Ahab's Metaphor pasteboard masks to visible objects mean?
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Ahab uses this metaphor to represent why he needs to kill Moby Dick. He compares his revenge and hate to pasteboard (cardboard) masks or walls around his mind allowing him to think of nothing else but his revenge. He says that unless he breaks through these masks (kills the whale) he will not be at peace and it will drive him crazy.
He is talking about the Power or Force behind all parts of Nature. Ahab believes it is a malicious Force that creates everything man sees; so, when we see beauty in the world and experience benevolence in Nature, we are being deceived if we believe the Force is kind or benevolent or loving. It is evil; and Moby Dick is not a just a whale-he is the embodiment of the Evil that creates human suffering for his own pleasure. And the closest thing Ahab can do to striking the Force is to kill its embodiment-the white whale that caused his suffering. Ahab believes GOD is evil. Ralph Waldo Emerson admired Melville's work, but he thought this belief went a little "overboard" (if you'll excuse the pun).
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
In "Moby-Dick," Ahab's metaphor of "pasteboard masks to visible objects" means that he sees the things he encounters as false or deceptive representations that hide the true nature of reality. He views the world as a facade that conceals deeper truths and seeks to uncover these hidden meanings.
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Where can you find a nebugon on monster galaxy on facebook?
Ahabs abyss
What follows ahabs boat as it pulls away from the ship?
Moby-Dick
How does Starbucks interpret ahabs obsession?
Stubb decided that laughing it off was the best approach.
Where can you find leon in monster galaxy?
Leon is found in Pueblonia,at either ahabs abyss and adventure island
What do you learn about moby dick appearance from ahabs dialogue with his crew?
you learn that the crew has been told that he has a huge wang.
Why does Starbuck object to Ahabs desire to pursue Moby-Dick?
He sees Ahabs fixation with the whale as madness. He would rather stick to just doing the job of finding and killing whales for their oil, rather than chasing one particular whale. He sees Ahab as crazy and a time waster, that he should think to act revenge on an animal that has no concept of revenge.
In Melvilles Moby-Dick identify most closely with the main character Ishmael as he recounts the tale of Ahabs voyage after the white whale Ishmael must be?
the protagonist.
What was Ahabs artificial leg made of?
Ahab's artificial leg was made of whale bone. It was a whale ivory prosthesis that he had specially crafted for him after losing his leg in a whaling accident.
Who was Ahabs wife?
If you are referring to Ahab in The Bible, then that would be Jezebel.
How Did stubborn react to captain Ahabs obsession with killing the white whale?
On researching an answer to the above question, I discovered (on the internet) such a host of interesting bits and pieces (some fact, some fiction) that I recommend a closer study of Moby Dick.
What omens appear as ahabs whaleboat pulls away from the pequod?
White flames appear at the top of three masts and his harpoon is also on fire. Starbuck sees these are negative omens and believes the burning harpoon is a sign that God is against Ahab.
What are ahabs 2 unusual physical characteristics that the narrator ishmael describes in the Moby Dick?
Ishmael describes Ahab as having a "livid spot" on his face and a missing leg, replaced by a prosthesis made of whalebone. These two physical characteristics contribute to Ahab's menacing and mysterious presence in the novel.
