Billy Budd: Blessed Innocence and Depraved Intelligence.
This essay will argue that it is possible to read "Billy Budd" on a number of levels. Of course, it is an interesting tale of shipboard life at the end of the eighteenth century. As well, it may be seen as an allegory for the life of Christ, with the virtuous, innocent and inarticulate Billy Budd standing in for Christ. On yet another level it may be seen as a story of innocent virtue versus experienced corruption and impotence. In this respect, Melville's intended American audience may have read the story as tale of the corruption of the Old World and its decaying cosmopolitan civilization. 3 pgs. 9 f/c. 1b.
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