Examining Captain Delano's Flaws

            In Melville’s “Benito Cereno,” Captain Delano’s good nature and dismissive demeanor both blind him from the roll reversals that occur on the San Dominick. When he is first introduced to this foreign vessel, Delano is shocked to see the relationship that the sailors have with the slaves on board. Delano almost immediately recognizes this unprecedented relationship, but his good nature allows him to find beauty, not concern in the relationship. This is partly because Cereno accredits his preservation through these tough times to Babo. The narrator states, “as master and man stood before him, the black upholding the white, Captain Delano could not bethink him of the beauty of that relationship which could present such a spectacle of fidelity on the one hand and confidence on the other” (1535). Thus, instead of finding this relationship conspicuous, Delano dismisses the odd relationships evidenced when he first boards the San Dominick. He is further impressed by the loyalty displayed by Babo, which makes Delano believe that Cereno has great control over the slaves on this ship. Little does Delano know, the entire presentation once he boards the ship is nothing but a façade. This charade contains occasional slip-ups and the ‘free’ blacks on the ships have reversed the roles on their white counterparts.

            While there are certain instances where the reader can see these role reversals, Delano’s dismissive demeanor allows for the entire operation to fly under the radar. For example, when walking through the ship, Delano notices a couple of black boys sitting together with two Spanish boys. When a black boy becomes angered by something one of the Spanish boys says, the black boy strikes the Spaniard over the head with a knife, producing blood. Delano immediately remarks, “had such a thing happened on board the Bachelor’s Delight, instant punishment would have followed” (1536). Yet, Cereno dismisses this ordeal and says these things happen when young boys play.  In doing so, Delano feels confused, but dismisses this act and many others like it during his tenure on the San Dominick. Though Delano is speculative of the way things are on this ship, his good nature and dismissive demeanor prevent him from being able to help Cereno and the other Spaniards until it is almost too late.