Almost simultaneously, with a mighty volition of ungraduated, instantaneous swiftness, the White Whale darted through the weltering sea. But when Ahab cried out to the steersman to take new turns with the line, and hold it so; and commanded the crew to turn round on their seats, and tow the boat up to the mark; the moment the treacherous line felt that double strain and tug, it snapped in the empty air!
C. What does the phrase “the White Whale” symbolize?
【正确答案】：
IT SYMBOLIZES NATURE.
【题目解析】：本题考查“the White Whale”（白鲸）的象征意义。白鲸象征着大自然，而以埃哈伯为代表的捕鲸船上的船员们就是被欲望蒙蔽了双眼的人类，最后披谷德号沉入大海的命运以及埃哈伯的死亡有力地说明了人类不应去破坏大自然。