Question

In Herman Melville’s MobyDick what does the final paragraph indicate about the relationship between humanity and nature?

Nature can be subdued through sheer human will.
Nature is malicious, while humanity is well-intentioned.
Nature is morally upright but is stained by humanity.
Nature is indifferent to human suffering.

Answer 1

The correct answer is D. Nature is indifferent to human suffering.

Answer 2

The ending of MobyDick indicates that, according to the author, Nature is indifferent to human suffering. After the ship has sunk and all of its crew has died, small fowls are seen flying over the collapsing vortex, resuming their flight as if nothing had happened, and the sea itself "rolled on as it rolled five thousand years ago". The natural elements exist on another time-frame that is separate from Man's own experience and suffering.