Captain Ahab isn’t just chasing a whale—he’s chasing a force he believes has ruined his life. Moby-Dick is more than a legendary sea creature; it’s a symbol of everything Ahab fears, hates, and cannot control. But is the white whale truly the villain, or is Ahab’s own obsession the real beast? Jimmy Yeary dives deep into the madness, the meaning, and the monomania behind this classic tale—because when it comes to Moby-Dick, there’s always more beneath the surface…In Other Words.

Discussion Questions

1) Captain Ahab channels all his anger and frustration into the whale, turning it into a symbol of everything that’s ever gone wrong in his life. Have you ever been tempted to blame one person or thing for a much bigger problem? What helps you step back and see the bigger picture?

2) (For younger readers or imaginative thinkers) Moby Dick becomes more than a whale—it’s a symbol of everything Ahab won’t forgive or release. If you pictured your own hurt or frustration as an animal, what would it look like? And what might happen if, instead of chasing it, you chose to let it go?

3) Ahab never forgives what happened to him, and that refusal ends up costing him everything. Why do you think holding onto hurt or anger can feel easier than forgiving it? What could change in someone’s life if they chose to forgive—even if the other person never apologized?