Sample Essay Outlines
Topic #1
Discuss the significance of at least six of the nine gams the Pequod
has with other ships. Provide a brief description of the gam and then explain
its significance.
Outline
I. Thesis Statement: The gams provide contrast, show varying attitudes to Moby
Dick, and contribute to major themes.
II. The Albatross
A. Appearance and name
B. Theme of alienation
III. The Town-Ho
A. Congenial atmosphere
B. Attitude toward Moby Dick
IV. The Jeroboam
A. Significance of name
B. Attitude toward Moby Dick
C. Theme of alienation
V. The Samuel Enderby
A. Captain Boomer
B. Attitude toward Moby Dick
C. Theme of alienation
D. Theme of the unity of man
VI. The Rachel
A. Captain Gardiner
B. Theme of alienation
C. Theme of the unity of man
VII. The Delight
A. Appearance and name
B. Attitude toward Moby Dick
C. Theme of alienation
Topic #2
Discuss the multiple symbolic meanings of the sea, the coffin, the doubloon,
and Moby Dick. Explain the thematic implications of this multiplicity of
meaning.
Outline
I. Thesis Statement: By investing the major symbols of the novel with multiple
meanings, Melville suggests that the “phantom of life” is truly
“ungraspable.”
II. The sea
A. Self-knowledge
B. A benevolent universe
C. A hostile universe
D. Isolation
E. Life
III. The coffin
A. Death
B. Life
C. Unity of man
IV. The doubloon
A. Engravings on the coin
B. Ahab’s interpretation
C. Starbuck’s interpretation
D. Stubb’s interpretation
E. Flask’s interpretation
F. The Manxman’s interpretation
G. Queequeg’s interpretation
H. Fedallah’s interpretation
I. Pip’s interpretation
V. Moby Dick
A. Interpretations of his whiteness
B. Gabriel’s interpretation
C. Ahab’s interpretation
D. Starbuck’s interpretation
E. Ishmael’s descriptions
Topic #3
Prove that Ahab has many of the characteristics of the classical tragic hero.
Explain how Melville imparts heroic qualities to a Nantucket whaling captain.
How does Ahab’s story evoke both pity and fear? Analyze Ahab’s tragic flaw and
subsequent downfall.
Outline
I. Thesis statement: Ahab achieves the stature of a tragic hero, evokes both
pity and fear, and suffers a downfall because of his hubris.
II. Heroic stature
A. Biblical allusion to King Ahab
B. Effect of delayed introduction
C. Bildad and Peleg’s description
D. Ahab’s appearance
E. Elijah’s remarks
F. Ahab’s first encounter with Moby Dick
G. Ahab’s power over his men
H. Ahab during the lightning storm
I. Ahab’s mystic relation with Fedallah
III. Pity
A. Ahab’s loneliness
B. Ahab’s physical injury and suffering
C. Ahab’s intimate conversation with Starbuck
IV. Fear
A. Association with Fedallah
B. Tempering his harpoon
C. Threatening Starbuck
D. Ahab’s madness
V. Hubris
A. Interpretation of engravings on the doubloon
B. Smashing the quadrant
C. Making a compass
D. Ignoring warnings and predictions
E. Turning his back on the light
VI. Downfall
A. Ahab’s three-day struggle with the White Whale
B. Ahab’s death
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