Herman Melville - Billy Budd, and Bartleby, the Scrivener
The language may be a bit obscure, and the works may be a bit small, but the ideas within Billy Budd and Bartleby, the Scrivener will keep us talking for quite a bit if we let them. Melville authored what many consider to be one of the truly great American novels in Moby Dick. Bartleby and Billy Budd are our first glimpses into the mind of this literary giant. The texts may seem inaccessible, but keep at it. When you begin to see all that he is doing, it will move you. The big questions are all there:
What is justice? Can mankind ever truly administer justice fairly? Are we free?
What is a life well-lived? Is it just to merely accept one's fate? What if we are trapped in an unjust system? How do we deal with injustice on a personal, moral level? Can goodness coexist with the corruption of this world? Do all men have certain inalienable and inviolate rights?
These are just the first questions that pop to mind after reading these thought provoking works. Good luck!
What is justice? Can mankind ever truly administer justice fairly? Are we free?
What is a life well-lived? Is it just to merely accept one's fate? What if we are trapped in an unjust system? How do we deal with injustice on a personal, moral level? Can goodness coexist with the corruption of this world? Do all men have certain inalienable and inviolate rights?
These are just the first questions that pop to mind after reading these thought provoking works. Good luck!
Billy Buddby Herman Melville
The Spithead & Nore Mutiniessome background
ImpressmentWhat are the modern parallels?
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Does Anybody Actually Read this Stuff???they do... really...
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