This essay examines Billy Budd as Melville's archetype of pure innocence confronting institutional corruption in naval society. The analysis explores how Billy's physical beauty mirrors his moral virtue, while his speech impediment symbolizes his vulnerability to civilized world complexities. The discussion reveals how Billy's naive inability to perceive evil ultimately leads to his tragic downfall when faced with duplicitous authority figures.
Describe Billy Budd. Why do you think Melville might have created a character like Billy?
Described early on by the author as “the Handsome Sailor,” Billy Budd is Melville\\\\\\\'s story of a handsome, innocent young foretopman who, unable to defend himself verbally due to a stutter, fatally strikes an officer who falsely accuses him of mutiny. This incident leads to his execution despite his evident moral purity and the captain’s seeming reluctance to enforce harsh naval law. In sum, Melville creates Billy Budd as an archetype of pure innocence and natural goodness - a character whose physical beauty mirrors his inner virtue.
What types of things do you predict might happen to him?
The protagonist is repeatedly described as having a child-like innocence, manifesting both in his demeanor and his naive inability to perceive evil in others. Conversely, Billy’s stutter, which emerges when he is emotionally distressed, represents his inability to defend himself against the corruption and complexity of the civilized world, suggesting that he will be taken advantage of or abused by his peers and superiors.
Why does the crew like him so much?
The crew’s overwhelming affection for Billy stems from his genuine kindness, willing helpfulness, and almost supernatural charisma, attributes that Melville describes Billy as having an aura that naturally draws others to him.
Why do you think that \\\\\\\"Jimmy Legs\\\\\\\" speaks badly of Billy after Billy claims \\\\\\\"\\\\\\\'Jimmy Legs!\\\\\\\' ejaculated Billy, his welkin eyes expanding; \\\\\\\'what for? Why he calls me the sweet and pleasant fellow, they tell me.\\\\\\\' \\\\\\\"
For normal people, Jimmy Legs’ duplicitous behavior shown by praising Billy to his face while speaking ill of him behind his back serves to introduce the theme of hidden malice that is a crucial element in the story. Indeed, Billy’s innocent confusion at learning of this two-faced behavior also highlights his fundamental inability to comprehend deliberate deception by other people, a response that foreshadows the reality that his innocence, while admirable, leaves Billy highly vulnerable to people who have hidden malevolence.
In what ways do you think Morrissey\\\\\\\'s song reflects any of the themes in the story so far? Be specific and quote from the text and the song!
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