Billy Budd:Ship Hierarchy
...lly Claggart is attempting to stir up trouble. Dansker informs Billy Claggart is “…down upon you, Baby Budd” (Chapter 9). The fact that Claggart may be out to get Billy in trouble is almost seen as acceptable, because Claggart has more power then Billy. When Billy appeared as a defendant in the court, as a British citizen, he was nevertheless guaranteed the basic Constitutional right to a fair and impartial proceeding. Since he is at the bottom of the chain he is not given the chance to exercise these rights. Billy’s inferiority and naďveté determines his fate. If he was clever enough to see the situation around him, he might have been able to stop the outcome of Claggart’s doings. He may possibly have gone to Vere first to state he had been summoned and asked to join mutiny, and/or he may have been able to speak at the secluded “interview”. Since Billy is at the floor of this fateful hierarchy, he is not able to accomplish either of those things, and therefore, in the end is executed. These examples symbolize Billy’s lack of control and supremacy he has over his own life. At the trial Vere explains to the officers: “I feel as you do for this unfortunate boy. But did he know our hearts, I take him to be of that generous nature that he would feel even for us on whom in this military necessity so heavy a compulsion is laid" (Chapter 22). Vere tries to explain he understands Billy did not intentionally kill Claggart, but despite everything, Claggart is dead, and Billy must be punished. While it is apparent Vere’s feelings are with Budd, he simply would not be swayed by those thoughts. Because Vere and the other officers are torn between what is right or just, and what is required by law, it leads them away from the path of justice. Those who hold the higher position as a result of the legal structure owe their loyalty to the system and not to justice. This circumstance can be related to the position of judges. Honorable judges, who are seen at the top of the hierarchy, within the legal system, have to base their decision on what is declared by the law, even if it is not serving justice in their own minds. Vere, at the top, felt sorry for Billy, at the bottom, had to do what was right for the good of the ship, even if he did not agree. Claggart, the ships “policeman” is the middle link in this hierarchy. As noted before, he has authority over Billy, but is still under the command of Captain Vere. One of the story’s first views on the law within a pecking order can be seen through Billy’s misfortunate run-ins with Claggart. Billy was surprised when “…ultimately he found himself getting into petty trouble” (chapter 9). Billy, unaware of the fact that Claggart was setting him up, did not understand why he was being penalized for little mishaps, such as the stowage of his bag. Claggart misused the power belonging to a high-ranking officer, to set punishment whether within the law or not. This typical situation reflects today’s society in which certain minorities or lower ranking individuals find the law of hierarchy used against them unjustly. Studies have proven if a black male and a white male are speeding, and they drive by a cop, the officer will more likely pull over the African American. The police officer may have a preconceived notion the black male is more likely to break the law, or be apart of the “underclass”/bottom rung of the ladder, then a white male would. However, many times African Americans find themselves pulled over for no reason other than the color of their skin. The authorities abuse their power in both Billy’s situation and in today’s society. Once again the novel is able to show how an off...