Fatal underestimation—Sue's Atar-Gull and Melville's "Benito Cereno" - Articles - Herman Melville's 'Benito Cereno' - Eugene Sue's 'Atar-Gull'

Studies in Short Fiction, Summer, 1998 by John D. Cloy

(3) Laurie Robertson-Lorant makes an interesting case for Melville as abolitionist. She suggests that his message to readers implies that the rebel Africans were as patriotic as his own forebears, throwing off the yoke of British servitude (350-51). However, Hershel Parker paints a more moderate picture of the author regarding the slavery question. He states that while Melville hated slavery as a tyrannical practice, he abstained from active participation in the abolitionist question, viewing American slavery as just another branch of a larger cosmic evil (831-32). Sue's position on slavery has not been discussed specifically by biographers or critics. His disapproval of the institution is evident in Atar-Gull and his later adoption of populist and republican principles is consistent with this train of thought. It seems reasonable to assert that the opinions attributed to Sue by Alain Pessin are applicable to blacks as well as whites. Pessin regards Sue as a progressive who saw the poor in France as disenfranchised by misery--low wages, high food prices, and lack of education, fundamental benefits that would help them emerge from their mire of degradation. He saw revolution as a last resort and Pessin feels that Sue intended for the poor to doctor themselves (le peuple medecin; 127-40).

(4) William D. Richardson notes that Delano's paternalistic mindset is evident when he offers to purchase Babo from Benito Cereno in what he regards as a magnanimous compliment to the black's sterling qualities. Richardson observes that Delano considers his offer to buy the slave as evidence of his highest esteem. Such dehumanizing action from a man as "good" as the American mariner goes far in delineating the common perception among whites of the innate inferiority of blacks (78-79). A similar strain, though emerging from the opposite pole, is apparent in Atar-Gull when Wil allows himself to be persuaded to eliminate the unprofitable old slave, Job, when the ancient black becomes incapable of further work.

(5) My translation:

   Moreover, I will be praised, exhibited, celebrated as a model of servants.
   And I will care for you and support your life, because it is precious to
   me, your life ... more than my own, you see. You must live a long time for
   me, for my vengeance. Oh! A very long time ... for eternity, if I can
   manage it. And if a stranger comes here ... it will be in order to sing you
   my praises, to boast to you of my devotion; me, who has killed ... killed
   your family ... who has rendered you mute and miserable ... because it's me
   ... it's me, do you understand, Tom Wil ... it's me alone who has done it
   all ... me alone....

(6) David Kirby states that Delano's mental sluggishness is what saves him from butchery in "Benito Cereno." He feels that a more observant witness would have grasped the situation much more quickly and been slaughtered by Babo and his minions (149).

(7) Amasa Delano looks upon his own faith as superior to that of the blacks and sees himself as a true follower of Christ, though he is not too modest to claim credit for his own abilities. He tells Cereno at the end of the tale that "Yes, all is owing to Providence, I know; but the temper of my mind that morning was more than commonly pleasant, while the sight of so much suffering--more apparent than real--added to my good nature, compassion, and charity, happily interweaving the three" (103). His condoning of the slave trade somewhat belies the notion of his devout religiosity. Captain Benoit, original owner of the Catherine before its seizure by the pirate Brulart, considers himself a pious man, though a slaver. He is given up by Brulart to a hostile tribe and falls victim to cannibalism. Ian Pickup states accurately that Atar-Gull is not graced with characters who successfully embody Christian morality.