| I. Nineteenth-century connections |
A. Call for national literature
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B. Romanticism
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C. Ambiguity ("dreams")
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D. Historical subjects (current)
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1. In general
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2. For "Benito Cereno"
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| II. Melville's career |
| III. "Benito Cereno" |
A. Structure
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1. Sections
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a. Four sections
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b. Out of order
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2. Effect
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a. Mystery
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b. Solution (?)
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c. Closing solution (?)
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B. Narrative point of view (selective, limited omniscient)
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1. American
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a. Delano's thoughts distanced
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b. Narrative voice comments
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c. Traits of American critiqued
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2. Humorous
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a. Delano fooled
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b. Delano biased
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3. Deceptive
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a. Delano's understanding
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b. Incomplete information
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c. Deposition's truth
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d. Black missing
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C. Symbolic patterns
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1. Obvious elements
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2. Imagery patterns
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a. Allusions
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b. Nature
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D. Ambiguity
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1. Incomplete information
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2. Suggestive language
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3. Delano's conflicting ideas
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4. Narrative voice's versions
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5. Deposition's truth
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6. Closing statements ("best man err")
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E. Themes
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1. Slavery
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2. American identity
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3. Perception
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| IV. Critique of American "stories" |
A. Then
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B. Now
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