Moby Dick Mood Boards

I am so often blown away by the talent and creativity of my students. Here are two student extra credit projects: character mood boards from Moby Dick. I love the consistent use of color themes, and the perceptive explanations of each element.

Moby Dick Mood Board: Ahab

by Charity

On the left side of the mood board is a picture of the statue of Perseus from Perseus with the Head of Medusa because Ahab's "whole high, broad form, seemed made of solid bronze, and shaped in an unalterable mound, like Cellini's cast Perseus" (Melville 137). It symbolizes the firm resolve of Ahab during his relentless pursuit of Moby Dick to gain honor. The statue also illuminates Ahab's strong and dominant character, because he is the captain of the ship and in charge of many men. The tree being struck by lightening represents the iconic scar Ahab has running down his face. Melville writes that the scar "resembled that perpendicular seam sometimes made in the straight, lofty trunk of a great tree, when the upper lightening tearingly darts down it, and without wrenching a single twig, peels and grooves out the bark from top to bottom." (137) Many men aboard the Pequod believed that this scar ran down Ahab's whole body.

The next picture is of the foamy and raging sea because it is an accurate representation of Ahab's temperament. He is crazed and unruly and refuses to listen to Starbuck's advice to leave Moby Dick alone. In Moby Dick it says, "with tornado brow and eyes of real murder, and foam-glued lips, Ahab leapt after his prey" (Melville 240). The final picture is of a white whale, which is meant to resemble the great Moby Dick. It is only fitting that a picture of a white whale is on his character mood board, because he spends all his time obsessing over catching the whale and regaining his glory and even, in a sense, his masculinity.

Moby Dick Mood Board: Starbuck

by Olivia

Starbuck is a character with strong sense of duty to his crew. He cares about his life, unlike the mad Captain Ahab. The musket in the left corner represents Starbuck’s inner conflict. In chapter 123 he wrestles with the thought of shooting Ahab because he foresees Ahab leading the whole crew of thirty men to death. He wants to live and wants the crew not to lose their lives because of one man’s doing. The dark foamy sea behind the musket represents the darkness of this thought. Starbuck is known for his honesty and nobility, so this evil thought is abnormal for him. Below the musket is a mother and child. Starbuck is a husband and father. He wants to return home from the voyage and see his wife and son. In chapter 132 Ahab recognizes that Starbuck has a duty as a husband and father, as well as his duties onboard the Pequod. Starbuck’s wife and child wait for him to come home and watch to see his ship return. Beneath that photo is a man standing alone by the ocean. Starbuck is the only man on the Pequod who does not want to hunt for Moby Dick. He stands alone against the whole crew and is never convinced that the chase is a wise thing. The brain to the right represents Starbuck’s wisdom and reason. He has a level head. In chapter 49 Ishmael describes Starbuck as, “by far the most careful and prudent” (Melville 244). He is cautious and mindful. Above is a Quaker meeting house. Starbuck is not only a wise and careful man, but a Quaker. His religion most likely accounts for his prudence and sense of duty to his ship and family. Finally, the last photo says respect. Starbuck respects his mad captain and attempts to reason with him. He respects the power of Moby Dick and advises Ahab against hunting the creature. He respects his life and the lives of the crew and can see beyond the glories of killing The Whale to seeing the glories in fulfilling your allotted task. Now the sea respects him.