Moby Dick Symbolism

This worksheet supports students in Grades 9-10 as they practice close reading, symbolism analysis, figurative language interpretation, inference, and textual evidence through a focused passage from Moby-Dick. By examining the white whale as both a literal and symbolic force, students explore how Melville uses imagery, philosophy, and character obsession to convey deeper meaning and universal themes.

Academic Focus

• Symbolism in Literature (Grades 9-10) – Analyze how the white whale functions as a complex symbol tied to obsession, mystery, and the unknown.
• Figurative Language Analysis – Examine Melville’s imagery and language choices to understand layered symbolic meaning.
• Character Motivation & Obsession – Explore Captain Ahab’s fixation and how it shapes interpretation of the whale.
• Universal Themes & Interpretation – Consider whether the whale represents a personal struggle or a broader human condition.

Instructional Support

• Teacher-Created Resource – Designed by educators with secondary ELA standards in mind.
• Thought-Provoking Questions – Includes four reflective prompts that encourage higher-level thinking and discussion.
• Flexible Use Options – Works well for independent analysis, group discussion, literature circles, or assessment.
• Skill-Building Structure – Guides students to support interpretations with clear explanations and text evidence.

This printable worksheet helps students deepen their understanding of symbolism, allegory, and literary interpretation while engaging with a challenging classic text. It builds critical thinking, inference, and evidence-based writing skills by encouraging students to grapple with abstract ideas and universal human struggles. Suitable for both classroom and homeschool settings, this resource supports meaningful analysis of Moby-Dick and its enduring philosophical themes.

This worksheet is part of our Classic Literature Worksheets collection.