【正确答案】正确答案：In Moby-Dick, Ishmael describes Ahab as mad in his narration, and it does indeed seem mad to try to fight the forces of nature or God. However, some of the other characters in the novel whom Ishmael labels insane-notably Pip and Gabriel-might be viewed as wise rather than crazy, thus calling into question the possibility of making a clear distinction between sanity and insanity. Gabriel , the prophet figure aboard the Jeroboam, behaves irrationally and makes a number of ridiculous-sounding predictions. If viewed in a certain light, however, his prophecies sound not like silly attempts to foresee the future but like cleverly phrased efforts to effect change aboard his ship. Gabriel" s prophecies are aimed at gaining the crew just treatment from the ship" s officers and at avoiding the danger that will come from trying to hunt Moby Dick. Like Ahab, he manipulates the crew" s superstitions and religious beliefs in order to gather support. But whereas Ahab" s obsession is monomaniacal and selfish, Gabriel" s "madness" is a response to irrational and unjust behavior on the part of those who control his ship.

【答案解析】解析：(本题考查对《白鲸》中的人物的掌握情况。可从人物在文中的作用和人物之间相互对比等纵横两个方面来进行阐述。)