Billy Budd by Herman MelvilleBefore the Fall, Adam and Eve were perfect. They were innocent and ignorant, but perfect, which is why they were allowed to dwell in the presence of God. Once they took the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, however, they immediately became impure as well as mortal. In Billy Budd, author Herman Melville asks a question that arises directly from this original sin of our first parents: is it better to be innocent and ignorant, but good and righteous, or is it better to be experienced and knowledgeable? I believe that through this book Melville is telling us that we need to find some sort of balance between these two ideas; we need morality and virtue; you have to be in the world, but not of the world. To illustrate his theme, Melville uses a few very different characters, the most important of which is Billy Budd. Billy is the focal point of the book and the one person we are meant to learn the most from. On the ship, the Rights-of-Man, Billy is a star among his shipmates; a leader, not by authority, but by example. All the crew members admire and love him. He is "strength and beauty. Tales of his prowess [are] recited. On land he [is] the champion, afloat the spokesperson; on every suitable occasion he is always first" (9). Despite his popularity among the crew and his hardworking attitude, Billy is transferred to another British ship, the Indomitable. And although he is accepted for his appearance and cheerful personality, “…he is hardly here before it is certain that he had once been a member of the small shipping companies of the merchant navy” (14). It is here, on the Indomitable, that Billy says goodbye to his rights. It is also here that Billy meets John Claggart, the fencing master. A man "in whom was a mania of an evil nature, not begotten by vicious training, corrupt books, or licentious living, but born with it and innate, in short 'a depravity according to nature'" (38). Here, then, is presented a man with a personality and character that contrasts and conflicts with those of Billy. Sweet, innocent Billy immediately realizes that this man is someone he does not wish to upset and so, after seeing Claggart whip another crew member for neglecting his responsibilities, Billy "decided that never, through negligence he would not make himself liable to such a visit or do or omit any of this.” might even deserve a verbal reprimand"(31).