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
intolerable weather behind us. it was one of those less lowering, but
still grey and gloomy enough mornings of the transition, when with a
fair 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
captain ahab stood upon his quarter - deck.
which of the novels themes is best developed in this excerpt from
chapter 28 of moby dick?

a persons inability to alter fate

a persons ability to outsmart fate

a persons control over nature

a persons harmony with nature

Explanation:

To determine the theme, analyze the excerpt: Ahab's hidden yet controlling presence (orders issued vicariously) and the ship's journey (fate - like, as they move through weather). The idea that Ahab's will (and fate) is in control, and others act on it, supports "a person’s inability to alter fate"—the mates act as his agents, showing fate (Ahab's will) is unalterable by them. The other options don't fit: "outsmart fate" is wrong (no outsmarting), "control over nature" is wrong (they flee weather, not control), "harmony with nature" is wrong (journey is against/through harsh nature, not harmony).

Answer:

a person's inability to alter fate