"Billy Budd"

Paper Summary:

The paper attempts to determine who was responsible for Billy Budd's death in Melville's short story of the same name. The paper shows how the characters of Captain Vere and Claggart, the rigidity of the naval system of justice, and Billy himself, all contributed to Billy's downfall.

From the Paper:

"Herman Melville's 1891 seafaring novella Billy Budd is a Christian allegory, transposed into the relatively contemporary setting of a British naval vessel. The Christian Bible details the death of Christ as a series of betrayals and injustices. The popular leader and teacher Christ is betrayed by one of his own followers, Judas, and is handed over by the leadership of his own nation to the Roman judge Pontius Pilate. Pilate washes his hands of his responsibility for a man whom he believes is innocent, because Christ will not verbally defend himself, and because the Roman authorities have charged him with preserving order amongst the populace. Pilate acquiesces, going against his better moral instincts."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Melville, Herman. Billy Budd. 1891. Bibliomania. 23 Feb 2008.http://www.bibliomania.com/0/0/36/1006/frameset.html

More papers on "Billy Budd":

• Analytical Essay # 121259 : "Non-Allegorical Reading of "Billy Budd"
• Book Review # 122470 : "Billy Budd" and the Bible"
• Term Paper # 120833 : "Interpretations of "Billy Budd"
• Essay # 73693 : "Idealism in "Billy Budd"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: