Question

read this excerpt from chapter 41 of moby - dick using comprehension strategies. if such a furious trope may stand, his special lunacy stormed his general sanity, and carried it, and turned all its concentred cannon upon its own mad mark; so that far from having lost his strength, ahab, to that one end, did now possess a thousand fold more potency than ever he had sanely brought to bear upon any one reasonable object. what is the meaning of this excerpt? ○ though ahab is physically weakened, his will for revenge has strengthened him. ○ ahabs anger has increased his physical strength, and he is ready to fire his cannon. ○ ahab has always been physically strong, but his desire for revenge has weakened him. ○ though ahab has lost his ability to seek revenge, he still harbors anger and resentment.

Explanation:

The text uses metaphors like "lunacy stormed his general sanity" and "concentred cannon" to show Ahab's obsession. The key is "far from having lost his strength...a thousand fold more potency" which implies his will (for revenge) gives him strength despite possible physical aspects. Analyze each option:

• Option 1: Matches the idea of will (revenge) strengthening him.
• Option 2: "Ready to fire his cannon" is a mis - literal interpretation of the metaphor.
• Option 3: Opposite of what the text says (text says he has more potency, not weakened).
• Option 4: Opposite (text says he has strength for the revenge end).

Answer:

A. Though Ahab is physically weakened, his will for revenge has strengthened him.