Theme Of Ignorance In Billy Budd

I think the innocence of both Billy and Amasa is genuine. I also think that for both of them their innocence is bred from ignorance, but for different reasons. Billy is a foundling so most likely, as was the tradition of the time he was raised in a church sponsored orphanage. Due to upbringing he probably was quite naïve when it came to human behaviors. While the text made it clears that Billy was “angelic”, “innocent” and not too bright. I got the impression in a couple lines that Billy’s lack of intelligence is not biological but social conditioning. Unlike Billy, whose innocence comes from the lack of education Delano’s ignorance comes from his higher station in life. Delano is described as generous and pious and being “incapable of sounding …show more content…
This is why I think Melville wanted the audience to know that Billy was a foundling, so that the reader would realize that Billy’s innocence/ ignorance did not stem from a lack of intellect but from the lack of knowledge and experience. Billy Budd shows the corruption of both intellect and innocence by society. First because he is a foundling and does not have access to the best education he lacks intellectual awareness. I am not saying he is intellectually challenged, more that he has a naïve view of the world, for example in the book he does not seem to grasp the idea that Claggert does not like him because he sees the world as being simple and good. Most people would say that the aforementioned is proof that he is mentally slow, I disagree because the few times that Billy spoke he displayed understanding of the situation he was in, like when he explained how he accidently killed Claggert and when he was speaking to the Chaplain. Billy due to lack of intellectual awareness approaches life from an innocent prospective, he thinks that because he shows his true face that everyone else does. He does not seem to comprehend the idea that someone may not be as transparent as …show more content…
I realize that emotionally based reactions are something people with low mental acumen tend to possess, but so do people who have various other issues. While Delano’s ignorance saves him. Delano only looks at the surface of a situation, even when he notices something is off. He will justify the situation because he prefers to see things in an idealistic fashion. Delano is blind to the signs that the slaves have control of the ship. He sees that slaves he encounters on the ship as faithful servants not realizing that Babo is the mastermind, Atufal is his right hand man and the slave women have killed their slaveowners. Delano’s “innocence” has him unable to see the hidden meanings. Like when the Ashanti are clashing their hatchets together like cymbals to issue a warning to him, he just thinks that the slaves like playing while they