The symmetry of form attainable in pure fiction cannot so readily be achieved in a narration essentially having less to do with fable than with fact. Truth uncompromisingly told will always have its ragged edges; hence the conclusion of such a narration is apt to be less finished than an architectural finial.
Herman Melville, Billy Budd, Sailor Melville’s Billy Budd, Sailor (An inside narrative) uses several aspects of theology to capture character’s emotions about the “Handsome Sailor.” Melville’s elegant diction alludes to the “doctrine of Man’s fall” and the story of Ananias; Budd’s captivating story parallels the events found in the bible. Ideally the story of Billy Budd is one of military justice punishing murder by unintentional means …show more content…
The newspaper journalist was on an agenda to ensure Claggart is remembered as a hero because he wanted to stop a mutiny. The lie being continues with Claggart “vindictively stabbed” by Budd which is not the case. Melville’s narrator has the “inside story” and explains that Budd punches Claggart. Who does the reader believe? The narrator could be telling a factual account of the Fall of Budd, but the newspaper claims the exact opposite. The story in the news article allows the Serpent, John Claggart, to reclaim his rightful role as the agent of evil bringing down Budd’s innocence. “(3) a description of the posthumous mythification of Billy Budd by his fellow sailors” (Johnson 48). Budd’s story travels from dock to dock and passed on from sailor to sailor until a sea shanty is created. The sailors see Billy as “incapable of mutiny as of wilful murder” (Melville 131) implying that his fall was purely accidental. Melville’s narrator says “Ignorant though they were of the secret facts of the tragedy” which could be assumed as several concepts (131). The reader can only speculate, if the narrator is withholding any information. Johnson concludes “The sense of Melville’s ending is to empty the ending of any privileged control over sense” (49). That is to say there is no logical ending to Billy Budd. Nonetheless, Melville’s subtle irony brings a conclusive end to the ship and retellings of Billy’s story from other
Herman Melville, Billy Budd, Sailor Melville’s Billy Budd, Sailor (An inside narrative) uses several aspects of theology to capture character’s emotions about the “Handsome Sailor.” Melville’s elegant diction alludes to the “doctrine of Man’s fall” and the story of Ananias; Budd’s captivating story parallels the events found in the bible. Ideally the story of Billy Budd is one of military justice punishing murder by unintentional means …show more content…
The newspaper journalist was on an agenda to ensure Claggart is remembered as a hero because he wanted to stop a mutiny. The lie being continues with Claggart “vindictively stabbed” by Budd which is not the case. Melville’s narrator has the “inside story” and explains that Budd punches Claggart. Who does the reader believe? The narrator could be telling a factual account of the Fall of Budd, but the newspaper claims the exact opposite. The story in the news article allows the Serpent, John Claggart, to reclaim his rightful role as the agent of evil bringing down Budd’s innocence. “(3) a description of the posthumous mythification of Billy Budd by his fellow sailors” (Johnson 48). Budd’s story travels from dock to dock and passed on from sailor to sailor until a sea shanty is created. The sailors see Billy as “incapable of mutiny as of wilful murder” (Melville 131) implying that his fall was purely accidental. Melville’s narrator says “Ignorant though they were of the secret facts of the tragedy” which could be assumed as several concepts (131). The reader can only speculate, if the narrator is withholding any information. Johnson concludes “The sense of Melville’s ending is to empty the ending of any privileged control over sense” (49). That is to say there is no logical ending to Billy Budd. Nonetheless, Melville’s subtle irony brings a conclusive end to the ship and retellings of Billy’s story from other