The Bachelor’s Ignorance In Herman Melville’s “Benito Cereno” ignorance appears to be an overwhelming theme. Although “Benito Cereno” holds a powerful message about slavery, this is not the major idea of the story. Ignorance is the fire that fuels slavery. During the entire story every main character displays signs of idiocy. Unfortunately, the most important decision-maker in the story, Captain Amasa Delano, falls into this category. Melville’s story is told through a …showed first 75 words of 885 total…

…showed last 75 words of 885 total…using a dim-witted central male character, Melville enables the reader to examine the way Delano’s prejudices affect his judgement. Ironically, there is one good fortune that comes from his ignorance. If Delano was to figure out the truth, it is possible that he would have been killed by the slaves. From the beginning the story was plagued with a negative plot. Fortunately, in “Benito Cereno” Melville brought light on the dark subject of slavery.