Melville uses the story of Billy Budd to convey many messages beyond the story of a simple sailor. Melville approaches the question of individuality throughout the novella. The rights of a single person are pitted against the law and will of a nation. Before even getting into Billy Budd’s story, Melville discusses the mutinies against the navy at length. A mutiny in the British Navy of the time is the perfect example of the individual’s struggle against the governing forces. Many of the sailors were impressed into service against their will by the British military, and the Nore rebellion shows the differing interests of the sailors and the Navy itself. It was in the Navy’s best interest to put down individuality, to make sailors into unquestioning servants who would follow every order. In this instance, the individual is eventually defeated, which seems to be a recurring theme in Billy Budd.
Even the ships in the story, the Rights-Of-Man and the Bellipotent, put the individual against the whole, the war machine in this instance. The prize sailor of the Rights is taken, and once again the individual is suppressed. The Rights-Of-Man is bullied by the Navy, and can do nothing about it. Billy Budd, the essence of innocence and purity, is nevertheless made to work against his will, although he doesn’t complain. Billy is the perfect sailor, he cares only to do his work perfectly and to maintain good spirit, yet his individuality, his good looks and popularity, still make him enemies. Claggart in this instance symbolizes authority, and his jealousy of Billy Budd’s unique character serves to eventually bring about Budd’s demise.
Perhaps the best example of this struggle is during Billy Budd’s trial. Vere loves Billy Budd, and would seemingly do anything to help or protect him. He knows that Billy did nothing malicious on purpose, and that he is as innocent a man as there could be. However, he is also a captain in the British Navy and he knows his duty and the law....