Benito Cereno Book Report
In “Benito Cereno” by Herman Melville, the author offers a warning about the dangers of slavery, and the future problems slavery could cause America. By telling the story of a slave revolt on a Spanish ship, Melville shows how prejudices affect a person’s perception of the world around him. Through writing most of the story from the viewpoint of the main character, Captain Amasa Delano of Duxbury, Massachusetts, Melville demonstrates how prejudices can limit one’s perspective and understanding. Although Captain Delano is an honest and kind person, he cannot perceive the world realistically because he believes that blacks are nothing more than property. Captain Delano’s inability to recognize his prejudices or to learn from his experience in the slave revolt make him a symbol of what Melville fears will happen to America. The story opens in the early morning of August 1799, off the coast of Chile, aboard an American sealing ship called the Bachelor’s Delight and under the command of Captain Amasa Delano. Melville describes Delano as a benevolent optimist who has a “singularly undistrustful good nature” and does not like to believe that man is capable of evil. However, Delano is also described as a blunt thinker and a s
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Some common words found in the essay are:
Delano Melville, San Dominick, Babo Delano, Alexandro Aranda, Delano Babo, Delano Cereno, Africans Delanos, Negro Cereno, Follow Leader, Herman Melville, delano cereno, ship delano, whale boat, bachelors delight, san dominick, slave revolt, delanos prejudices, benito cereno, delano babo, front ship, captain amasa delano, delano babo weak,
Approximate Word count = 1889
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)
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