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Webster Almonor

Instructor Kat Gelsone

WHUM-102

4/21/15

TRUE SELF

The compositions of Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll House and Herman Melville “Billy Budd”

present how the laws of society restrict the beauty and innocence of an individual. Although the

main characters from each of these literatures showed uniqueness in dealing with this situation,

their similarities could not be ignored. Each character displayed physical beauty, naiveness and

presented a childlike innocence that is very rare in the world, then and now; most of all between

these two characters is their moral standards. Due to these notions their consciousness are faced

with a battle between societies laws and being there true self.

In “Billy Budd”, Melville presents a young man “to be given…at last…aged twenty-one”

(Melville, ch.1, pg.66) who was nicknamed by his shipmates as the “Handsome Sailor”

(Melville, ch.1, pg.65). Billy Budd is described to be “more or less of a mighty boxer or

wrestler” and possess “strength and beauty” (Melville, ch.1, pg.65). Melville also describes Billy

Budd having “the moral nature…seldom out of keeping…” and a “peacemaker” who is “like a

Catholic priest striking peace in an Irish shindy.” (Melville, ch.1, pg.67). Billy Budd was so well

liked even Captain Graveling of the Right-of-Man was pleading for him to not to be taken away

from his ship (Melville, ch.1, pgs.66-68).

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Billy Budd’s battle begins when he boards the HMS Indomitable and encounters the

Master-at-arms, John Claggart. Billy Budd could not believe Claggart had it in for him as the

Dansker explains to him. (Melville, ch.9, pgs.79-81). This troubled and “disturbed” Billy for he

cannot fathom this mystery of one’s sudden dislike for an individual (Melville, ch.9, and pg.82).

However, Claggart is described to be a man of “…of an evil nature,” possibly jealous or envious

of Billy Budd because of his own “depravity according to nature.” (Melville, ch.11- 13, pgs.85-

86). While Billy Budd description is in a “heroic” matter (Melville, ch.13, p.85). “An angel of

God!” (Melville, ch.20, pg.100).

A “child-man” filled with “utter innocence”, Billy Budd did not have much experience

with dealing with those of an “evil nature”. This may have been why “ignorance” played a factor

in this battle between good and evil. For Billy viewed Claggart as a man who “always had a

pleasant word for him (Melville, ch.17, pg. 91). While Claggart try to defame Billy’s good name

by using the laws to present a conspiracy theory to Captain Vera (Melville, ch.19). Unable to

defend himself verbally because of his stuttering problem, anger caused him to unintentionally

strike Claggart dead in front of Captain Vere (Melville, ch.20, pgs.98-99).

Morally, Claggart obtained what was coming for him. Although it was not Billy’s

intentions to kill him, he pushed Billy to a level that he could not control. Even Captain Vere

seen that Claggart “…sought to victimize a man blameless;” However, legally Captain Vere is

forced to prosecute this “angel” for by law he must “…hang!” (Melville, ch.20, pg.100).

Billy Budd, a young man nicknamed by his peers “the handsome sailor” mostly because

of his physical appearance but also because of his spirit he shared amongst everyone he

encountered. Billy presented a rare innocence not found amongst men but in children. However,
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the Indomitable is where he was faced to keep his true innocence versus the laws and the evils of

men that he had to endure. Billy eventually lost his life to the laws of men but his true self will

forever live on amongst those who encountered him (Melville, ch.31, pg.118). Society’s laws

haunted even Captain Vere when he uttered “Billy Budd” name as his final words (Melville,

ch.29, p.117). Because he seen it had taken away an “angel”.

In A Doll House, Ibsen presents a young woman by the name of Nora who on the surface

seemed to be living every woman’s dream. However, Nora struggles with her true self by hiding

the fact that she borrowed money by way of forgery (Ibsen, act 1, pgs. 66-67). Nora is living in

fear because of this situation; for she knows Torvald Helmer, Nora’s husband, is a man filled

with pride and it might ruin their relationship (Ibsen, act 1, pg. 54).

Nora who like Billy has “child-like” ways basically caused her to not have many

experiences with hardships (Ibsen, act 1, pg.52). To live within her consciousness of thoughts

and dreams to one day obtain wealth from a “rich old gentleman” (Ibsen, act 1, pg. 55). Also

described with physical beauty like Billy (Ibsen, act 3, pg101). Her innocence is displayed

through her ignorance to the law by doing whatever is necessary to help her family. For she can

only understand her morals of being a good daughter and wife (Ibsen, act 1, pg.67). This now

puts Nora into a realm of “madness” (Ibsen, act 2, pg.92). However, Nora’s madness was just

showing her there are unresolved issues within herself and her marriage. (Ibsen, act 3, pg.107-

114).

Society’s laws have provided restrictions for individuals like Nora to do what is morally

right, to be themselves, and to be a good wife, mother, daughter to their families. A woman must

obtain permission from her husband (Ibsen, act 1, pg.53). However, Nora showed her defiance
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against such laws by saving her husband. Because she embraces the duty of being a wife, it

caused her doubt within herself on who she really is. Once her miracle wasn’t delivered, it

opened her eyes on which her husband really was. (Ibsen, act 3, pg.112). Nora no longer wanted

to be under the grips of being a mere “doll” as her father and her husband treat her. Nora wants

to find out now what defines her existence (Ibsen, act 3, pg.111-114).

These two compositions presented a notion that although there are laws. There is no

justice behind them due to one individual being falsely accused of being “heavenly” in a sense

and another being bribed because she is heroine to her family. It seems as if the both authors are

showcasing physical beauty to be just a prize or a trophy and nothing more. Once an individual

breaks out of that mold and there is more to that individual; he or she is considered somewhat of

an outcast. Billy Budd’s “beauty” did not only derive physically but through his morals. He

became a rarity or gem amongst men. Nora’s “beauty” also came from her morals withholding

her duties as a wife and daughter. However, her sacrifice was not recognized until it was too late

for her husband (Torald) to salvage the marriage.

Madness plays a part in both contexts due to problems that are unresolved. Billy Budd

madness came in when he was falsely accused in front of Captain Vere. Because he stutters he

was unable to use his tongue to defend himself, so madness sent him into rage to strike him.

Which Billy shows much remorse for (Melville, ch.22, pg.103). Nora ‘s madness came when

she danced into violent and uncontrollable movements (Ibsen, act 2, pg.92). These actions were

only done because she could not figure out the proper resolution to her situation with Krogstad.

These works of literature as displayed the main characters struggles with societies mold.

Although both characters were adults, the two authors presented that we must not think as an
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adult all the time if we are to maintain the innocence of our childhood. We must explore and

accept ourselves for being unique and not apart of the norm of society. One can only achieve

peace and happiness if they can be their true self.

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