46 pages 1 hour read

Herman Melville

Benito Cereno

Fiction | Novella | Adult | Published in 1855

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Essay Topics

1.

Consider the use of unreliable narration in Benito Cereno. What impact does this have on the portrayal of events and the overall themes of the novella?

2.

Why does Herman Melville title the novel after Cereno rather than Delano, Babo, or the ship itself?

3.

Explore the motif of leadership in Benito Cereno. How does Melville use characters like Babo and Cereno to comment on power dynamics?