One morning shortly after breakfast, Ahab, as was his wont, ascended the cabin—gangway to the deck. There most sea-captains usually walk at that hour, as country gentlemen, after the same meal, take a few turns in the garden. Soon his steady, ivory stride was heard, as to and fro he paced his old rounds, upon planks so familiar to his tread, that they were all over dented, like geological stones, with the peculiar mark of his walk. Did you fixedly gaze, too, upon that ribbed and dented brow; there also, you would see still stranger foot-prints — the footprints of his one unsleeping, ever—pacing thought.

What purposes does this chapter beginning serve? Check the three best answers.

It sets the scene.

It introduces a new character.

It foreshadows doom.

It uses word choice to convey important images and symbols.

It connects to larger themes in the text.