... and act for the greater good of society (the British navy) (Bloom, Critical Views 209). Most critics agree that Vere had to punish Billy, whether he was innocent or not, to assure the obedient well-being of society ("Billy Budd"). Vere believes that life would fall to pieces if the necessities in life were not carried out. The occasional sacrifice of an expendable ... individual, no matter how brutal it may seem, is necessary for maintaining peace and order in society (Foster 115). Although many themes can be interpreted from the novella Billy Budd, it is obvious to most that the preval...

• Word Count: 1646
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

... and much harder to be defined or stereotyped. In other words, the interpretation of him may vary from reader to reader. In the story, Billy Budd is such an embodiment of beauty and purity as to be compared to Christ or sinless Adam. When he works in a merchant's ship, he ... Adam presumably might have been ere the urbane Serpent wriggled himself into his company."(Melville, P2307) Moreover, just as innocent as Adam, Billy Budd is thoroughly lacking in the knowledge of good and evil. His ignorance of human sophistication is the core of his innocence. When he is ... and sound" (ibid.). In...

• Word Count: 718
• Approx Pages: 3
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... using symbolism, Melville also uses characterization to contrast good and evil. Characterization is used to contrast the concepts of good and evil. Billy Budd is "like a young horse fresh from the pasture suddenly inhaling a vile whiff from some chemical factory." Billy's innocence and purity is exterminated at the hands of his main enemy, John Claggort, " much such as Adam presumably might have been ... pallor tinged with a faint shade of amber skin" even denote evil. Dark traits are often used to express evil, as light and beauty to express good. In contrast to Claggort, Billy Budd's ...

• Word Count: 671
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... This accusation also causes Billy to commit the evil deed of striking and murdering Claggart. As the plot progressed, Melville constantly gave insights and emphasis on representing Claggart as evil. Billy's death further illustrates the theme of good versus evil. Melville portrays Billy Budd almost as a satisfied, Claggart is jealous. Lastly, where Billy is good, John is bad. When Billy first sees Claggart, ... it is Christ-like figure. Billy was not scared of his death and obediently went through with his execution ... . Melville vividly describes Billy's death with so many details that...

• Word Count: 407
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... and Pierre 1852. Melville struggled with his religious faith and his attempts to resolve this struggle reappears in varying forms in Moby Dick and Pierre and seems to culminate in Billy Budd. "He states this struggle in Pierre: 'Ah if man were wholly made in heaven, why catch we hell-glimpses? Why in the noblest marble pillar that stands beneath the all ... -comprising vault, ever should we decry the sinister vein?'" (Encyclopedia 231) Billy Budd which was never actually finished, was "written during Melville's retirement between 1885 and 1891," (Billy Budd, Sailor). This novella wasn't ...

• Word Count: 2119
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School