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Read a summary of Benito Cereno, At least get through the story involving Captain Delano. Read chapter 135 of Moby Dick, a glimpse of Ahab.
By means of comparison among this trio, discuss which ones you find the most and the least interesting as characters. Along the way, consider the general psychological forces (common to all people) and the ones peculiar to sailors and captains in particular that Melville explores through these characters.
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- Discussion EntryI found Captain Ahab the most interesting, mostly because I got to read about his character more so than the other two. Following Ahab’s insanity and obsession with moby dick made him a compelling and tragic character. Amasa Delano was the least interesting because I never really got a grasp on who he was and what his motivation was other than that he was confused and wanted to know more about Cereno and his crew. His nativity and racism also made him a less than compelling character.
- Discussion EntryI agree, spending more time with Ahab let us get to know him best. I felt like he was far more relatable than Amasa or Benito. I also struggled to find any meaningful motivation for Amasa. I wasn’t able to relate to him hardly as much.
- Discussion EntryI agree with you two as well to time that we spent with Ahab gave us a chance to really get a feel for him and sympathize with him. Amasa was pretty much eh for me too couldn’t really find myself interested in his character.
- Discussion EntryI agree, to an extent. Captain Cereno I found to be really uncomfortable to read about (which probably is how I’m supposed to feel). Although, I found the chapter of Moby Dick to be quite boring, not my kind of book. I enjoy feeling things while reading, and I just didn’t with Captain Ahab. Maybe it’s due to the fact I’ve only read one chapter. I guess as far as relating to a character goes, Delano is my guy. He was continuously trying to be non-judgmental and LOADED the crew with food and drink. I just can’t get past the fact that he kept pushing down the feeling that something bad was going to happen. Do you have men guarding your ship at night? Yes? Okay let me go tell the crew real quick. It just seems like a no brainer.
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- Discussion EntryI found captain Ahab the least interesting honestly due to the fact that i lost interest in his obsessions the first time i read moby dick. the idea of the monotony of the sea and sailors pain was interesting, yes but, to what extent? but, i did find the story of Delano the fact that he was more than a plot device.
- Discussion EntryI also found Captain Ahab to be the least interesting of the trio of sea captains, because of his obsession with Moby Dick. To an extent, I could enjoy the character because he was tragic and slightly compelling, but I was unable to really enjoy the story as it continued on. Although, Amasa Delano was definitely not a favorite of mine because he was it was difficult to predict what his motivations were. Plus it was difficult to look past his blatant racism and compelling need to know about Cereno and his crew.
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- Discussion EntryI found the reading of Benito Cereno arduous and chapter 135 of Moby Dick was at least shorter but gave a limited introduction to Captain Ahab. I haven’t previously read Melville and having these two readings under my belt I don’t think I’ll be adding him to my list of authors to “read before I die”.
With regard to the Captains I think I find Delano the most interesting. He at least seems less a victim of his own self or circumstance in the beginning. Of course, he’s pays a price for his optimism and easy soothing of his internal alarms but I feel he at least has more emotional balance than Ahab and Cereno. Ahab and Cereno, are limited, Ahab by his obsession and Cereno by his submission to Babo. Delano is wrestling with incongruities aboard the ship and his thoughts throughout the story gives more material to try and figure out what’s really going on than Cereno’s character.
As we learn more about the happenings on Cereno’s ship we learn more about Cereno himself and the real situation aboard the San Dominick. Delano is made out to be idealistic, slow to see truth but I think I relate more to him. Perhaps that is why I find him the most interesting? How would I have thought in that same situation? The horrors of slavery and the stereotypes promoted in those times are reflected in the characters but of the captains, I still this Delano the most interesting for me.
By means of comparison among this trio, discuss which ones you find the most and the least interesting as characters. Along the way, consider the general psychological forces (common to all people) and the ones peculiar to sailors and captains in particular that Melville explores through these characters.
