Question

so powerfully did the whole grim aspect of ahab affect me, and the livid brand which streaked it, that for the first few moments i hardly noted that not a little of this overbearing grimness was owing to the barbaric white leg upon which he partly stood. it had previously come to me that this ivory leg had at sea been fashioned from the polished bone of the sperm whales jaw.
—moby-dick,
herman melville
what does the artificial leg likely symbolize to ahab and the reader? choose the two best answers.
ahab’s dislike of sailing
ahab’s hatred of moby-dick
the destructive power of nature
rolling waves on the open ocean

Explanation:

To determine the symbolism of Ahab's artificial leg, we analyze the context from Moby - Dick. Ahab lost his leg to Moby - Dick, so the artificial leg (made from a sperm whale's jaw) connects to his hatred of Moby - Dick. Also, the leg's origin (from a whale, a natural creature) and the event of losing his leg to the whale reflect the destructive power of nature. "Ahab’s dislike of sailing" is incorrect as Ahab is a captain, and "rolling waves on the open ocean" is not symbolized by the leg.

Answer:

B. Ahab’s hatred of Moby - Dick
C. the destructive power of nature