Innocence vs. Evil

Where it surfaces

• The Apple-Tree Table

  The daughters' innocent fears of the table's cloven feet and the narrator's initial skepticism highlight the tension between innocence and perceived evil.

• The Piazza

  Marianna's innocent longing for happiness contrasts with the wearying reality of her existence, and the narrator's initial romantic view of the mountain house is dispelled by the truth of her suffering.

• I: (An Inside Narrative)

  Billy's innocent, cheerful nature is contrasted with the harsh reality of impressment and the potential for malice in others.

• II

  Billy's pristine, Adam-like innocence is contrasted with the moral obliquities of civilized society, and his stutter is presented as a mark of the Edenic marplot.

• Life in the Foretop

  Billy's innocent nature is contrasted with the cryptic malice of Claggart, as hinted by the Dansker.

• Chapter IX

  Billy's innocent nature contrasts with Claggart's concealed malevolence.

• The Enigma of Claggart's Antipathy

  The chapter explicitly contrasts Billy Budd's harmlessness and innocence with Claggart's innate, intellectual evil, exploring the mysterious antipathy that evil can bear toward good.

• XI

  The chapter contrasts Billy's innocent, unmalicious nature with Claggart's deep-seated envy and malice, exploring how evil recoils upon itself in the presence of good.

• XII

  Billy's innocent nature is contrasted with the sinister, manipulative approach of the mysterious afterguardsman, who attempts to corrupt him.

• XIII

  Billy's instinctive recoil from the afterguardsman's overture highlights the clash between his natural innocence and the insidious evil he cannot fully comprehend.

• XIV

  Billy's childlike innocence is contrasted with the hidden malevolence of Claggart, highlighting the conflict between purity and corruption.

• XV

  Billy's innocent simplicity contrasts with Claggart's complex, malevolent obsession.

• Chapter XVII

  Billy's innocent nature contrasts with Claggart's malicious false accusation, leading to tragedy.

• Chapter XX

  Billy's childlike innocence and lack of fear contrast with the diabolical evil he has encountered.

• XXI

  Billy's innocence is contrasted with the harsh reality of his impending execution, and the chaplain acknowledges that innocence is 'a better thing than religion wherewith to go to judgment.'

• XXII

  Billy's innocent blessing of Captain Vere contrasts with the brutal execution, highlighting the clash between pure goodness and institutional evil.

• Chapter XXVI

  Billy's innate innocence is highlighted by the sailors' instinctive belief that he was incapable of mutiny or murder, contrasting with the evil of his execution.

• Endnotes

  The omitted passage from Billy Budd mentions 'innocence and infirmary, spiritual depravity and fair respite,' highlighting the theme.