Summary Of Melville On The Surface Benito Cerreno

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Melville: On the surface, “Benito Cereno” deals with an uprising by slaves on a slave ship (such as Amistad). Several critics see this as an antislavery work. Do you believe the slaves were right in their actions against their captors?

Do you believe the slaves were right in their actions against their captors? There is no easy answer to this question, yet I know the answer without reservation. Given our position in time, we have the advantage of perspective in looking back at this event with history showing us the atrocities of slavery.

Given my background as a white male in a Christian dominated culture who was raised to show manners and attempts to lead a moral life, I would condemn their actions only due to my repulsion for violence.