Moby Dick Symbolism

Students examine a passage from Moby-Dick to analyze how the white whale functions as a symbol. They answer four reflective questions exploring Captain Ahab’s obsession, the whale as a symbol of the unknown, and universal human struggles represented by the chase. Questions also prompt students to interpret whether the whale symbolizes a personal or universal mystery. By engaging with Melville’s figurative language and philosophical themes, students strengthen their skills in symbolism, inference, and literary interpretation. The activity encourages rich thinking about allegory and human motivation.

Curriculum Matched Skills

English Language Arts – Symbolism in Literature

English Language Arts – Analyzing Figurative Language

English Language Arts – Literary Interpretation

English Language Arts – Critical Thinking About Universal Themes

English Language Arts – Textual Evidence and Explanation

This worksheet is part of our Classic Literature Worksheets collection.