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A review by shelgraves
Benito Cereno by Herman Melville
This story demands spoilers. A fan of Melville's works "Bartleby the Scrivener" (one of my favorite shorts) and Moby Dick I became interested in reading this after seeing it recommended as a horror story — specifically in Marvin Kaye's introduction to Dracula.
More than halfway through the story I needed a reminder, "Why was I reading this?" and "Was it really supposed to be horror?"
The story seemed a dull cross between Moby Dick and Amistad with unsettling racism.
It helps greatly to know that the story has a surprise ending and its genius is in its use of point of view.
It is in fact a retelling of the historical events of the slave revolt aboard the Amistad. However, it's told in the perspective of Captain Delano, an American whaler who spies the slave ship adrift and brings it aid. The blacks, now in command of the ship, force the slaver's captain, Don Benito — who has seen his shipmates slaughtered — to pretend he and the few remaining Spaniards retain control of the ship.
Delano is completely deceived by the ruse. He sees only what he expects to see: submissive blacks and stereotypes. At all times while aboard the slaver, he is in great peril. His usual treatment of blacks could now cost him his life. This is a terrifying time for Benito, but Delano's bliss insulates him. In retrospect, however, his ignorance is frightening.
On first reading, without the knowledge of the danger, cloaked in Delano's bland narrative of ordinary events (When things strike him as odd, he's quick to make excuses.) the story slogs along. However, the story masters the trick of demanding a second reading once the twist is revealed. Understanding the peril creates tension and makes the story far more engaging.
The payoff is in the dialog between the two captains at the very end and the frisson of terror at the revelation (like the montage ending of a horror movie when you see all of the perilous moments the heroes avoid, all that conspired against them, and how they were deceived). Like "Bartleby the Scrivener," the story inspires thought. There are many perspectives and ideas to ponder here.
Melville scholars have studied this story to get a better handle on the author's view of races, but have been frustrated by its enigmatic nature. It provides an empathetic exploration of race relations and seems to have relevance today to the ongoing issue of institutionalized racism (the misperception by the dominant culture —if the issue goes unexamined — that the current system works and everyone is content). The author appears to write from a humanitarian perspective well ahead of his time.
Now Kaye's introduction makes sense, "Like Herman Melville's harrowing horror story "Benito Cereno," it (Dracula) begins with tragic blindness and ends with tragic vision." It's all in the point of view.
More than halfway through the story I needed a reminder, "Why was I reading this?" and "Was it really supposed to be horror?"
The story seemed a dull cross between Moby Dick and Amistad with unsettling racism.
It helps greatly to know that the story has a surprise ending and its genius is in its use of point of view.
It is in fact a retelling of the historical events of the slave revolt aboard the Amistad. However, it's told in the perspective of Captain Delano, an American whaler who spies the slave ship adrift and brings it aid. The blacks, now in command of the ship, force the slaver's captain, Don Benito — who has seen his shipmates slaughtered — to pretend he and the few remaining Spaniards retain control of the ship.
Delano is completely deceived by the ruse. He sees only what he expects to see: submissive blacks and stereotypes. At all times while aboard the slaver, he is in great peril. His usual treatment of blacks could now cost him his life. This is a terrifying time for Benito, but Delano's bliss insulates him. In retrospect, however, his ignorance is frightening.
On first reading, without the knowledge of the danger, cloaked in Delano's bland narrative of ordinary events (When things strike him as odd, he's quick to make excuses.) the story slogs along. However, the story masters the trick of demanding a second reading once the twist is revealed. Understanding the peril creates tension and makes the story far more engaging.
The payoff is in the dialog between the two captains at the very end and the frisson of terror at the revelation (like the montage ending of a horror movie when you see all of the perilous moments the heroes avoid, all that conspired against them, and how they were deceived). Like "Bartleby the Scrivener," the story inspires thought. There are many perspectives and ideas to ponder here.
Melville scholars have studied this story to get a better handle on the author's view of races, but have been frustrated by its enigmatic nature. It provides an empathetic exploration of race relations and seems to have relevance today to the ongoing issue of institutionalized racism (the misperception by the dominant culture —if the issue goes unexamined — that the current system works and everyone is content). The author appears to write from a humanitarian perspective well ahead of his time.
Now Kaye's introduction makes sense, "Like Herman Melville's harrowing horror story "Benito Cereno," it (Dracula) begins with tragic blindness and ends with tragic vision." It's all in the point of view.