1. Voltaire's Effect on Melville
As Billy represents the "Revolutionary Spirit" in its amiable aspects, Atheiste, flying the flag of the French government, which deliberately embodied that spirit, represents conflict with form in its positively destructive aspects. ... Melville p. 5) This indicates that Billy is intended to serve as a representative of an unfallen and uncorrupted man, such as Adam was before the fall. ... Billy Budd can therefore be regarded as tragic in so far as it sets forth the respective claims of skepticism and faith and finds them ultimately irreconcilable. ...
- Word Count: 1389
- Approx Pages: 6
- Grade Level: Undergraduate