This paper analyses the depiction of slavery and racism in Herman Melville's work "Benito Cereno". The focus here is particularly on Captain Delano, who, blinded by his racist attitude, is unable to see the true conditions on board.
This paper will investigate how Delano's racial prejudices shape his perspectives of the happenings in front of him and how they contribute to his failure to recognise the mutiny of the slaves, thus exposing the nature of unconscious racism and bias that existed in society. By examining Delano's contradictory beliefs about race and power and exploring the historical context in which the novella was written in, this paper intends to shed light on the ways in which implicit prejudice can lead people to overlook injustice and perpetuate systems of oppression.
Since the novella takes place in the year 1799 on the coastline of South America, I will begin by describing the historical context of slavery in the Americas, as well as the racist structures and ideals that were prevalent there, in order to gain an understanding of the social and historical environment in which the characters are situated. I will then analyse the portrayal of slavery and racism in the novella, with special focus on the thoughts and remarks of the main character, Captain Amasa Delano, from whose perspective the novella is narrated. Since there are certain authoritarian hierarchies in Western slavery and racism, I will also examine the authoritarian structures and particularly the shift of authority in the novella. Lastly, I will summarise the results I have gained from the research and analysis in the conclusion.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Slavery and Racism in the 'New World'
- New World Slavery
- Anti-Black Racism in the New World
- Depiction of Slavery and Racism in Benito Cereno
- The Portrayal of Slavery in Benito Cereno
- Racism in Benito Cereno
- Leadership and Authority in Benito Cereno
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to analyze how Captain Amasa Delano's racial prejudices influence his perception of events aboard the Spanish ship in Herman Melville's novella Benito Cereno. The paper will examine how these prejudices contribute to his failure to recognize the slave mutiny, ultimately exposing the nature of unconscious racism and bias prevalent in society. The paper intends to shed light on the ways in which implicit prejudice can lead to overlooking injustice and perpetuate systems of oppression.
- The role of unconscious racism in shaping individual perceptions and actions.
- The impact of historical context on the portrayal of slavery and racism in literature.
- The relationship between authority, power, and racial prejudice in the context of slavery.
- The consequences of overlooking injustice due to implicit bias.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction sets the stage by discussing the pervasiveness of racism in society and how unconscious bias can shape individuals' actions and perceptions. It introduces the novella Benito Cereno and its main character, Captain Amasa Delano, whose racial prejudices play a central role in the narrative.
The chapter on "Slavery and Racism in the 'New World'" delves into the historical context of slavery in the Americas, examining the motivations and practices of European settlers in establishing the transatlantic slave trade. This chapter highlights the economic, social, and ideological factors that fueled the enslavement of Africans.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The core themes of this paper revolve around the concepts of unconscious racism, implicit bias, historical context, slavery, and the transatlantic slave trade. It examines the portrayal of these issues within the framework of Herman Melville's novella Benito Cereno, focusing on the character of Captain Amasa Delano and his role in perpetuating systems of oppression through his racial prejudices.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2023, The Portrayal of Slavery and Racism in Herman Melville’s "Benito Cereno", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1500979