Billy Budd by Herman Melville

The written report, nightstick Budd, by Herman Melville embodies many themes. The same story has also been the subject of many dissimilar interpretations because of these themes. One of the more(prenominal) touristed interpretations has to do with the many different allusions to the holy Christian bible. billy club has a good deal been interpreted as Adam from the book of Genesis, while his counterpart, Claggart, has often been compared to the serpent in the Garden of paradise or as Satan. The reason for this semblance has to do with the sacrifice that Billy switchs at the end of the story.Good natured and kind hearted, Billy becomes the innocent victim of a harsh gild. In order to make this portrayal, however, it is necessary to briefly discuss the trials and tribulations that Billy endured. The goodness of Billy is highlighted more during the times when Claggart tries to tempt Billy in committing dastardly acts and deeds of roughshod the temptations that Claggart dangl es in Billys way show Claggarts different attempts to destroy the character of Billy. This is analogous to the situation in the Garden of Eden where the Serpent tries to deceive Adam into taking the fruit of the forbidden tree.The explanation of Claggarts dead body as it lies lifeless in the take in of a snake reinforces this point. This is an important characterization that is used well in the story as it makes it easier for the readers to identify one of the many themes that are imbed in Billy Budd. Without these comparisons to Adam, the innocence and the tragedy of the downfall of Billy would not be as highlighted as they are in the story. The sacrifice that Billy makes in the end becomes the haunting image of how a hostile society can corrupt the lives and minds of the innocent ones.