The theme of the novel that this excerpt best address is "Man and the natural world". In other words, how humans can see animals as a terrible monster for their own benefit. In this chapter, in particular, there are some rumors of Moby D. circulating among the whalemen, rumors that tend to put Moby D. as the most terrible monster of them all, capable of maiming and killing anyone, an evil creature (<em>malicious</em>) that will kill if he encounters anyone on his path. Also, Ahab talks about Moby D. as the worst and cruelest monster.
It's important to know that Moby D. is not an ordinary whale, it is very large and strange looking, his whiteness is very particular and the same goes to his jaws that are misshapen. Even if it has these tremendous characteristics its still a whale but in this book it's more like a mystical and fantasy character. It usually hard to find even if it has very clear characteristics.
In the excerpt "<em>monomaniac</em>" means an irrational concern with a single idea or object. We can see this idea reflected on Ahab's behavior as he wants to hunt and kill Moby D. because it would be a symbolic victory against the cruelty of this monster.
Carpe Diem common meaning is "seize the day", which means that you must enjoy the day and maximize every moment as if it were the last. The idea is to have a productive well-lived day.
The phrase is in Latin, and was termed by the Roman poet Horace in his novel "Odes".
The "Nymph's Reply to the Shepherd", written by Sr. Walter Raleigh, refers to a young female nymph happy vision of life. For her, a true relationship must be based on loyalty and commitment, not like the shepherd's materialistic vision.
The nymph is always looking for something permanent that makes her happy, to "seize the day", even though they would be like dreaming: to be forever young, permanent happiness and true love.
What she means is that she really dreams of a joyful life with the shepherd on her side, but she realizes that he cannot afford her that because of his different and materialistic vision of life.
For this I would choose the first choice, A. "Eileen bought pants but not a new jacket."
A complex sentence is formed by an independent and a dependent clause. An independent clause is a part of a sentence that can still be a sentence on it's own. For example, "Eileen bought pants." could be a valid sentence.
A dependent clause is the opposite, and is a part of a sentence that can not still be a sentence on it's own. "But not a new jacket." is not a valid sentence.
I hope this was helpful.
