Question

Starbucks, the coffee chain retailer's name is inspired from which book?

• A. The Scarlet Letter
• B. Moby Dick
• C. Uncle Tom's Cabin
• D. None of the above

Hint:

Think of the first mate on Captain Ahab's ship in a famous whaling novel.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This is a straightforward brand-trivia question asking us to recall which classic novel gave Starbucks its name.

Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
Starbucks was founded in Seattle in 1971 by three partners who wanted a name linked to the early history of coffee trading by sea. They looked to classic maritime literature for inspiration rather than inventing an artificial brand word.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
In Herman Melville's novel Moby Dick, the ship Pequod sails under Captain Ahab, and its first mate is a steady, sensible character named Starbuck. The founders of the coffee company felt this name captured the seafaring, trading spirit tied to coffee's history, so they adapted it into "Starbucks" for their new company. None of the other listed novels, The Scarlet Letter or Uncle Tom's Cabin, involve a character or setting connected to coffee trade or shipping in this way, so they can be ruled out directly.

Step 4: Final Answer:
The Starbucks name comes from the first mate Starbuck in Moby Dick, so option (B) is correct.