Benito Cereno turns out to be a marvelous mystery novella. It also happens to shed a negative light on the practice of slavery. Whether it was intended to do so or not, I believe showed how slavery could bring out the worst in people. By the story’s end, it is revealed that the reason behind the San Dominick’s fate was not due to storm and disease, but rather a natural revolt of the slaves. Babo had gone from being a seemingly over-enthused servant of Don Benito to, ironically so, Don Benito’s cunning capturer and master. He and Atufal managed to successfully take control of the ship and held the crew against their will. I find myself sympathizing with Cereno. Though assuredly knowing better, and that such a fate is possible, I understand now why he was always so hesitant to speak of his good friend’s fate. After the ruthless killing of Alexander Aranda, his skeleton was used as the ship’s new figurehead; as well as a warning of what should happen if the crew did not comply with Babo’s commands. The fact that he did not break his act until he saw his opportunity for escape speaks volumes about his character.
But what truly makes this a negative depiction of slavery is what it forces Babo and the others to become. Being subjected has taught them that the only way to freedom is by the same ruthless means others have used to put them in chains. They must fight, kill, threaten, and strike fear into the hearts of their captures; they must enslave them in turn. Slavery is a sad practice that ultimately cost more than it’s worth; determination and opportunity will always be sought after, and when that happens, the tables will be turned.
When we are introduced to the character of Captain Delano, we are informed of his “kind-heartedness” and “good nature”, bordering on naivete. Despite this, he is nevertheless convinced that blacks are indeed inferior to whites, despite being, in his own words, more full of life and more pleasurable to be around. It is disappointingly closed-minded of him to see these people as less so; in need of education, while essentially praising them for qualities they could impart in the reverse. And he fails to see the ironic tragedy in that these slaves, in particular, have been educated; in the way of enslavement, how to bend another to their will.
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