Argument Essay
Benito Cereno
In Herman Melville’s “Benito Cereno,” the theme of power dynamics and authority is explored through the portrayal of Captain Delano, the story’s narrator, and his interactions with the enslaved people on board the San Dominick. Through a close reading of the text and supplementary research on the historical context of the slave trade, it becomes clear that Melville is critiquing the societal structures of power that enabled the brutality of slavery to persist.
The power dynamic between slaves is also highlighted through the character of Don Benito Cereno, the captain of the San Dominick. Despite being a slave owner, Cereno is depicted as weak and powerless, a victim of the system he perpetuates. His physical and mental state are shown to be deteriorating due to the burden of maintaining his authority and the weight of his guilt (Kaiser, 2015). Through Cereno, Melville portrays the moral decay and ultimate destruction that the slave trade brings upon those who participate, regardless of their position in the power hierarchy (Kaiser, 2015).
Furthermore, Melville uses the character of Babo, the enslaved leader of the rebellion, to challenge the idea that slaves are passive and content with their status as property. Babo is depicted as cunning, strategic, and motivated by a desire for freedom and revenge against his oppressors (Kaiser, 2015). He uses his intelligence and knowledge of the power dynamic to manipulate Delano’s perceptions and ultimately secure the rebellion’s success. Through Babo, Melville shows the agency and resilience of enslaved people in the face of their oppression, challenging the narrative of their passivity and submission.
Another way in which Melville critiques power relations in “Benito Cereno” is through the use of irony. Throughout the novella, Melville utilizes irony to subvert the conventional power dynamic between the white Europeans and the black Africans. The most prominent example of this irony is the situation in which Cereno, the supposed master, is a captive of the enslaved people and not in control of the ship. The irony of the situation is further heightened by the fact that Cereno is forced to maintain the illusion of being the benevolent master to avoid revealing the truth to Delano (Kaiser, 2015).
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The use of irony in “Benito Cereno” is not limited to the deception of Cereno. Melville employs irony to critique the ideology behind slavery and colonialism. For instance, the idea that white Europeans were “civilizing” and “taming” the non-white peoples are ridiculed through the portrayal of the supposedly “savage” enslaved Africans who are actually in control of the ship (Kaiser, 2015). This irony points out the absurdity of the justifications used to legitimize the subjugation of non-white peoples.
Another critical factor in the success of the slave trade was the dehumanization of slaves. Slaves were viewed as inferior and subhuman, allowing their owners to justify their brutal treatment. This dehumanization is evident in how the slaves are treated as property rather than people. Babo and his fellow slaves are beaten and worked to exhaustion, and their bodies are mutilated and displayed as a warning to other slaves (Kaiser, 2015). This is also reflected in how Captain Delano views the slaves as childlike and incapable of organizing a rebellion on their own. He fails to see them as individuals with agency and motives, instead viewing them as a collective group to be controlled and managed.
Finally, official and individual support of the slave trade was crucial. Slave criminals, owners, and governments profited from the slave trade. Melville critiques governments in “Benito Cereno” by highlighting how the legal system allowed the slave trade to continue (Kaiser, 2015). Slave owners’ legal privileges prevent Captain Delano from intervening when he learns the San Dominick’s uprising. This judicial structure maintained the power imbalance between slave owners and slaves and facilitated their terrible treatment.
In conclusion, “Benito Cereno” by Herman Melville criticizes the social institutions and power relationships that allowed the savagery of slavery to endure. Melville emphasizes the ignorance and prejudices of individuals in positions of authority and the dehumanization of enslaved people via the character of Captain Delano and his interactions with the enslaved people on board the San Dominick. Additionally, he criticizes the legal structure that shielded slave traders and protected slave owners. It is evident through an examination of the historical background of the slave trade and a close reading of the text that Melville’s criticism of these social systems is still pertinent in the current fight for social justice and equality.
Reference
Kaiser, D. (2015). The Literary Significance of Herman Melville’ s Benito Cereno: An Analytical Reflection on Benito Cereno as a Fictional Narrative. https://epublications.marquette.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1001&context=english_4997