NCHS AP English Language

SPHINX KATE PENNEBAKER, KYLE SMITH, PAT COLLINS

Captain Ahab is known to have quite an eccentric personality, often coming across as quite odd at times. In chapter 70, he goes as far as trying to converse with a dead whale head in order to unveil the secrets of the ocean. During this "conversation," Ahab compares the whale to a sphinx. The comparison may seem unlikely, but the sphinx is known to be very intellectual and Ahab turns to the whale to gain some of the whales' knowledge of the depths of the sea. The sphinx is widely known throughout Greek mythology. In the story of Oedipus, he encounters a sphinx while trying to enter Thebes. The sphinx gives Oedipus two options: either Oedipus will answer her riddle correctly, he will be allowed to enter Thebes and she will jump off her rock or he will get the answer wrong and she will eat him. In the end, the sphinx jumps to her demise, deeming her honest and true to her word. The sphinx and the whale that Ahab chats with are similair in two ways: they are both intelligent and both represent an obstacle in one's life. In the story of Oedipus, the sphinx is an obstacle in his journey that he must overcome to achieve his ultimate goal. In Moby Dick, the whale in general represents an obstacle that Ahab must overcome; he will never be fully satisfied with his life unless Moby Dick is captured and killed. The sphinx and the whale are also similar because the sphinx is known to be very intellectually enlightened. Ahab compares the whale to a sphinx because he is seeking knowledge from the whale that will eventually aid him in accomplishing his ultimate goal.

posted by NCHS AP English Language III @ 1:53 PM