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January 27, 2007
EL312: Benito Cereno
I couldn't help noticing all of the references to light and dark, black and white in this story. It seems exaggerated at certain points, but I made several notes about the ways in which the contrast was employed and the things that were shown as contrasting as I read.
"You are saved," cried Captain Delano, more and more astonished and pained; "you are saved: what has cast such a shadow upon you?""The negro."
There was silence, while the moody man sat, slowly and unconsciously gathering his mantle about him, as if it were a pall.
There was no more conversation that day.
This brief exchange really highlights the idea of the contrast Melville makes evident throughout the story. As one of the few dialogued conversations of the story, I enjoyed the short line "There was no more conversation that day" most of all, since readers are given very little conversation between Don Benito and Captain Delano to begin with.
Delano's question of what has "cast a shadow" upon Don Benito causes me to reflect on all of the references to white, black, dark, light, gray, shadow, and the fog. What is it that puts Don Benito in such a state of mind that even though he has just escaped a mutiny, his mantle (clothing) becomes a pall (which is the cloth spread over a coffin)? Don Benito and Delano even go back and forth with each other on the same page (528) about whose life was charmed and who saved who in the ordeal; however, it is odd that Benito is still "shadowed." It seems to me that this is an issue of race more than anything else. Could it be more than just this obvious point, though?
Melville, ''Benito Cereno'' -- Jerz EL312 (Literary Criticism)
Posted by KarissaKilgore at January 27, 2007 4:56 PM
Comments
I noticed there was alot to do with race also. I think maybe Benito had sort of a fog or shadow over his judgement and mentality in addition to being racist
Posted by: Erin Waite at January 29, 2007 1:37 PM
Towards the middle of the story I almost question myself on whether or not I trust Babo, Benito's servant. When ever Benito is in a difficult situation, begins his illness attacks, or is questioned about something important, Babo is right there to help him answer the questions, figure out what to do and even there to catch him when he falls.
I almost see Babo as the shadow of Benito. I feel as if Babo is almost trying to make Benito fail.
Erin's comment about Benito being shadowed or foggy on his judgement and mental well-being also makes a lot of interesting points.
Karissa, this was a great quote to pull out of the story.
Posted by: Denamarie at January 29, 2007 3:54 PM
Hey, thanks, Denamarie. :)
I see what you're saying about Babo. He seems sort of like the guy running the show... with Benito as the figurehead, I guess. When it all culminates in the mutiny, I see why it's so important for Babo to be "right there," as you said, to help Benito with his coughing and attacks.
Make sure you bring up the thing about Babo being Benito's shadow in class... I'll bet others will have thoughts on this, too.
Posted by: Karissa at January 29, 2007 6:38 PM
As I had mentioned in my entry on Melville, I think back to Moby Dick.
Melville's contrasts are always a focal point. Specifically, in Moby Dick it was the "whiteness of the whale." Typically, white, as we know, is seen as a purity symbol, but throughout the entire work we are constantly bombarded by Ahab's account of the evil whale.
Melville took a common theme and flipped it - was the whale truly evil? Or was Ahab the evil?
Also, the contrast of light/dark existed in the nature of the white whale in the perpetually darkened sea.
This all leads to the question: What kind of outlook on life did the real Melville have?
Posted by: Kevin at February 1, 2007 3:48 PM
As I had mentioned in my entry on Melville, I think back to Moby Dick.
Melville's contrasts are always a focal point. Specifically, in Moby Dick it was the "whiteness of the whale." Typically, white, as we know, is seen as a purity symbol, but throughout the entire work we are constantly bombarded by Ahab's account of the evil whale.
Melville took a common theme and flipped it - was the whale truly evil? Or was Ahab the evil?
Also, the contrast of light/dark existed in the nature of the white whale in the perpetually darkened sea.
This all leads to the question: What kind of outlook on life did the real Melville have?
Posted by: Kevin at February 1, 2007 3:49 PM
And why that double posted, I haven't the foggiest. Feel free to delete one of those (as well as this after the the prior is deleted).
Posted by: Kevin at February 1, 2007 5:42 PM