Billy begins the story on a boat named The Rights of Man, where he is loved and revered for his hard work. Yet, this reputation as an outstanding sailor soon made it to the ears of the British Navy. Billy is soon impressed on a ship named The Indomitable. This forced move represents a person who has been stripped of his rights. The name of his first boat, The Rights of Man, is made to symbolize a place where one has rights and the ability to choose, while the shift to The Indomitable signifies a move to silence one’s voice, limit one’s choices, and take away a person’s rights. Melville uses the contrast in names to demonstrate the change in Billy’s rights. On this new Navy ship, Billy is faced with a whole new crew, and a good amount of hatred. The character who harbors the most hatred towards Billy is the aged master-at-arms, John Claggart. Claggart accuses Billy of planning a mutiny, and brings the false information to the captain. Once Billy is faced with this information he reacts violently, and kills Claggart. Billy is then given
Billy begins the story on a boat named The Rights of Man, where he is loved and revered for his hard work. Yet, this reputation as an outstanding sailor soon made it to the ears of the British Navy. Billy is soon impressed on a ship named The Indomitable. This forced move represents a person who has been stripped of his rights. The name of his first boat, The Rights of Man, is made to symbolize a place where one has rights and the ability to choose, while the shift to The Indomitable signifies a move to silence one’s voice, limit one’s choices, and take away a person’s rights. Melville uses the contrast in names to demonstrate the change in Billy’s rights. On this new Navy ship, Billy is faced with a whole new crew, and a good amount of hatred. The character who harbors the most hatred towards Billy is the aged master-at-arms, John Claggart. Claggart accuses Billy of planning a mutiny, and brings the false information to the captain. Once Billy is faced with this information he reacts violently, and kills Claggart. Billy is then given