Unlike any other creature that has ever existed, humans possess the unique tendency of desiring to see things in a light with which they are comfortable – the actual events that are taking place are thus often lost in the shadows of ignorance. Such is the case in Herman Melville's Benito Cereno, an account that more than adequately illustrates the delusions people are capable of when they are attempting to retain their calming sense of the world. Captain Amassa Delano serves not as a heroic savior of Spanish sailors, but as a projection of all the hypocrisies found in slavery; Melville specifically writes in third-person so as to keep the reader searching for the location of the strings on his puppet.
             The point of view in this story is rather important as it pushes the reader to do their own sort of anti-slavery interpretation. Whereas Frederick Douglass's narrative is exceptionally explicit and forward, Melville relies on the reader's inner intuition, a technique that works magnificently when compounded with the ambiguity of the tale. Delano is the perfect character for the reader to focus on: he's a rich, white American, a decidedly Yankee captain and "a person of a singularly undistrustful good nature." Toss in a ship named Bachelor's Delight and we are provided with a man who represents Mr. Everybody. Before delving further into his character one has to note that Melville purposely employs phrases like "was seen" when involving Delano so that a passive voice around the main character is established, thus further forcing the reader to construct their own interpretation.
             Melville's genius in utilizing Delano as the relay for all information comes forth when it is recognized that he tells the reader exactly what they want to hear; it is exceptionally easy to be lulled into the same role of unassuming, rich white person if one isn't careful.
             The naivety...