A Shave of Deception

            Over time, stereotypes and assumptions upon humanity have certainly thrived, varying from race to gender to religion to occupation. Although stereotypes are occasionally a genuine reflection of a particular group of people, they often are mistaken and flawed. In Herman Melville’s "Benito Cereno", the stereotypical roles of authority not only are flawed, but also completely reversed. Through the surfaced eyes of Delano, it appears that Cereno is in control of the ship, with Babo as his servant. However, throughout the novella, Melville foreshadows that perhaps these depicted roles are reversed, specifically in the shaving scene.

            In our country’s past, it was declared that Caucasians were superior to individuals of African American descent, on the simple basis of skin color. Therefore, in Melville’s novella, we accept that Benito Cereno is the captain of the peculiar ship and Babo is merely a servant, without question. However, in the shaving scene, Melville foreshadows that perhaps it is just the opposite. As Babo shaves Cereno’s neck, “the razor drew blood, spots of which stained the creamy lather under the throat” (Melville, 215). Although in Delano’s perspective it appears that Babo made a nervous mistake, we may come to the conclusion that this particular scene is rather curious. Because Babo apologized to Cereno in a “half-humorous sorrow” (Melville, 215), did not flinch at the sight of blood, and is a supposedly experienced barber, we may come to the conclusion that this perceived mistake was done as a malicious threat. Indeed, Babo ignited fear in his assumed master, as panic and distress obviously overcame Cereno (Melville, 217). Naturally, Babo took this action to prompt apprehension in Cereno, to make sure that the secret of the ship would be kept safe. Through this scene, Melville shows us that Babo is not only the captain of the ship, but also the puppet master of the ship, deciding and making Cereno’s every move, as a matter of life and death. Babo’s capability to draw blood from Cereno’s throat in a mere moment represents his frightening potential to take Cereno’s life, as well. Therefore, Babo has ultimate control and the stereotypical roles have been reversed, ultimately proving that stereotypes are often flawed.

            Although issues of trust certainly surface from day to day and individual to individual, humanity tends to believe and follow the common notions of society, with little question. Indeed, the stereotypes of race, gender, and occupation have come to consume us, until finally there is little left for us to question. We trust what is in front of us and believe what we see simply because we can see it. Melville demonstrates this concept throughout "Benito Cereno", using Delano’s character to prove that we are blinded to the reality of society. Although countless encounters proved otherwise, Delano ceaselessly believed that the ship was run by Cereno, that the African American's were mere slaves. He, like us, did not question. We often neglect to question particular things because they are presented in a manner so believable that we simply cannot deny them. However, it is certainly important for humanity to recognize that the many stereotypes of groups of individuals are often misleading and flawed.