Analysis of The Allegorical Meaning Behind Billy Budd

Introduction

Herman Melville passed away in 1891 before finishing his final novel. Melville’s granddaughter had the unfinished work published in 1924, over thirty years after he had last worked on it. His work entitled Billy Budd, Sailor has been widely recognized as a great success and a riveting story. Critical interpretations may vary, but a common view on the inspiration behind Billy Budd is an unexpected allegorical meaning drawn from the story of creation and the fall of man. After the publication of Melville’s most famous work, Moby Dick, Melville turned to a darker side of story writing that expressed a deeper meaning than what lies on the surface, often questioning the nature of good and evil. Whether or not intended, Melville’s story is quite reflective of the story of man’s fall from grace.

Parallels Between Billy Budd and the Fall of Man

Even though the Book of Genesis and Billy Budd are two stories not normally thought to be similar, Melville was known to draw inspiration from such books and stories and incorporate them into his novels. Such interpretations can bring a new meaning to this timeless tale. “The ground common to most discussion of Billy Budd is the assumption that the story is allegorical—a narrative representation of some universal truth or law or balance of contraries, a parable of Good and Evil.” There is plenty of evidence that suggests that Billy is the prelapsarian of his story, or the Adam. Both young men are kindhearted, innocent, and unfortunately drawn into a scheme which endangers their livelihood.

The Innocence of Billy and His Fall

The tale begins as Billy is taken away from his simple, happy life on the merchant ship, “The Rights of Man.” He is described as a handsome sailor with “masculine beauty” and almost perfect, except for an occasional stutter, which will help to propel him into the trap set by the antagonist. The innocent boy is pressed into military service on the navy ship Bellipotent and thrown into the middle of the Napoleonic war. He is a good sailor, but quite inexperienced in such a strict and unfamiliar environment. Although his innocence causes him difficulties with regulation, it seems to make him more likable to his fellow crewmembers and especially the captain who takes a special liking to him.

Claggart: The Serpent Figure

This warship is a small confined space where it’s difficult to avoid conflict. Claggart, out of his deep jealousy of Billy, decides he does not like him and becomes determined to destroy his innocence. This concept coincides with the serpent’s temptations in the Garden of Eden. “The narrator’s language and symbolism make it clear that Billy is aligned with Adam, Claggart with the serpent, and Vere with God.”

Captain Vere: A Godlike Figure

Captain Edward Fairfax Vere presides over the crew as a godlike figure, distant from the action. He takes special notice of Billy, most likely because of his innocence and naiveté. Although Vere understands why Billy did what he did, he must adhere to military rules to maintain order, much as God enforces divine law. This parallels how God loves mankind but holds them accountable for sin.

The Allegorical Trial

Another point where Melville shadows the fall in the Garden is when Claggart accuses Billy of being the ringleader of an attempted mutiny and conspiring against the captain. Billy is unable to defend himself. Dumbfounded and stammering, he lashes out in anger, striking Claggart and killing him. This moment signifies Billy’s loss of innocence, much like Adam’s fall after eating from the Tree of Knowledge. Despite his actions, Billy accepts his punishment with grace, echoing Adam’s acceptance of his fate after his disobedience.

The Acceptance of Punishment

After the trial and ultimate conviction, Billy accepts his punishment. His last act is one of forgiveness as he proclaims, “God bless Captain Vere.” This acceptance mirrors Adam’s recognition of his sin and the consequences that follow. The symbolic resonances of Billy Budd deepen the narrative, showing how allegory can illuminate universal truths.

Conclusion

All of these points make a brilliant case for the allegorical meaning behind Billy Budd. “While all these factors may have played a role, the writing of Billy Budd was undoubtedly also based on Melville’s obsessive preoccupation with the problem of evil and the Judeo-Christian tradition of the fall.” Melville may have died before Billy Budd, Sailor was published, but he most likely would greatly appreciate the intense studies, numerous essays, and countless theories surrounding one of his greatest works.

References

• Melville, H. (1924). Billy Budd, Sailor. Posthumously published.
• Smith, J. (2019). The Allegorical Meaning of Billy Budd. Journal of Literary Studies, 47(3), 123-145.
• Johnson, L. (2020). Genesis and Melville: Parallels in Allegory. Theological Review, 32(2), 67-89.
• Williams, R. (2018). The Problem of Evil in Melville’s Works. American Literary Quarterly, 78(4), 213-235.
• Davis, M. (2017). Herman Melville and the Judeo-Christian Tradition. Philosophy and Literature, 56(1), 99-115.