... is almost the Devil incarnate, Vere is the wise Father, terribly severe but righteous. No longer does Melville feel the fear and dislike of Jehovah that were oppressing him through Moby Dick and Pierre. He is no longer protesting against the determined laws as being savagely inexorable. He has come to respect necessity." (Matthiessen, pp. 509-10) Thus, Billy Budd could be ... ...

• Word Count: 1389
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Undergraduate