Question

by herman melville
chapter 28 - \ahab\
for several days after leaving nantucket, nothing above hatches was
seen of captain ahab. the mates regularly relieved each other at the
watches, and for aught that could be seen to the contrary, they seemed
to be the only commanders of the ship, only they sometimes issued
from the cabin with orders so sudden and peremptory, that after all it
was plain they but commanded vicariously. yes, their supreme lord and
dictator was there, though hitherto unseen by any eyes not permitted to
penetrate into the now sacred retreat of the cabin
now, it being christmas when the ship shot from out her harbor, for a
space we had biting polar weather, though all the time running away
from it to the southward, and by every degree and minute of latitude
which we sailed, gradually leaving that merciless winter and all its
miserable weather behind us. it was one of those less lowering but
still grey and gloomy enough mornings of the transition, when with a
fast wind the ship was rushing through the water with a vindictive sort of
leaping and melancholy rapidity, that as i mounted to the deck at the
call of the forenoon watch, so soon as i leveled my glance towards the
how is the fact that ahabs leg is made from whale bone significant to the
novels theme of humans versus nature?
it signifies that ahab has made a choice to
surrender to the power of the whales he hunts
it signifies that ahab see himself as an equal
and dependent part of a greater whole
it signifies that ahab lives a life in harmony with
the natural world

Explanation:

To determine the correct answer, we analyze the theme of "humans versus nature" and Ahab's character. Ahab's whale - bone leg shows his connection to the natural world (whales) he interacts with. The option "It signifies that Ahab see himself as an equal and dependent part of a greater whole" fits because his leg made from whale bone implies a relationship where he is both equal to (using a part of nature) and dependent on (needing the whale bone for his leg) the natural world, which relates to the humans - versus - nature theme. The first option is incorrect as Ahab is not surrendering but rather confronting nature. The third option is incorrect as Ahab is in conflict with nature (hunting whales), not in harmony.

Answer:

It signifies that Ahab see himself as an equal and dependent part of a greater whole