Literary devices and element

SYMBOLISM, IMAGERY, ALLEGORY

The sitting introduces the climate of 1797. The story takes place during the Napoleonic Wars in the same year as a number of massive mutinies in the English fleet. Any man like Captain Vere was not only caring about fighting a war against the French but also making peace within his own crew. The act was homophobia was also abundant.Things are not solid out at sea. Things go down into the water to unfathomable depths. In the case of the Bellipotent, the narrator is careful to note that when the events unfold the ship is out on a separate mission and hence is alienated from the rest of the English fleet.

GENRE  

 Sea story, Christian allegory, novella, philosophical novel

SETTING (TIME) 

In summer 1797, four years into the Napoleonic Wars between England and France and  just several months after the Great Mutiny at Nore

SETTING (PLACE)  

On an English warship, the Bellipotent, somewhere on the Mediterranean Sea

PROTAGONIST  

 Billy Budd

CLIMAX 

 Billy strikes Claggart dead after being falsely accused of mutiny.

MOTIFS 

 Christian allegory; suggestive names; mutiny

Literary Significance of Billy Budd:

What was happening socially that prompted the author to write?

The Great Mutiny emphasizes strikes for better salary and conditions for sailors caused the author to write this novel. 

What effect might the work have had on society?

The novel might have made people realize that even though the Great Mutiny caused much outrage, there was a final end of it that was like Billy Budd’s death.