The document discusses the narrative structure of 'Benito Cereno,' highlighting three sources of narration, including a limited third-person perspective centered on Amasa Delano and an objective narration of the deposition. It encourages the reader to critically evaluate the reliability of these narratives and consider potential biases or inaccuracies presented by an unnamed narrator referred to as Lucy Lawless. The assignment calls for original, thoughtful responses analyzing the themes and implications of the story.

1. Lucy Lawless
Benito
Cereno
has three sources of narration:
1. A limited third person narration that divides in two:
a. Primarily, the narrator limits him/herself to the thoughts and
perceptions of Amasa Delano, so everything is described from
Delano's persepective.
b. At times, the narrator demonstrates fuller knowledge than
Delano has, even lightly criticizing Delano's naivete: in
particular, the third person narrator seems already to be familiar
with the events described in the deposition.
2. The objective, impersonal third person narration of the
deposition, which records (an edited version of) the official law
documents associated with the case of the
San Dominick.
No particular narrator is associated with the deposition, but it's
obviously coming from some source. Just for fun, I call the
seemingly invisible, un-identifiable narrator of the Deposition
Lucy Lawless.
So here's the question for you to consider: Can you name any
aspect of Lucy Lawless's account that might be inaccurate,
biased, or incomplete? If so, can you identify a person from the
story who might be able to provide a more complete, less
biased, or more accurate version of that aspect of the story? If
not, please explain why you believe that Lucy Lawless tells the
whole truth and nothing but the truth, accurately and without
prejudice. Please post your ideas in an original thread,

2. providing accurate and precise cited evidence to illustrate your
thinking, and explain the evidence that you provide, as
necessary.
Then, respond thoughtfully to at least one post from a
classmate. A 'thoughtful' response will a) reinforce the evidence
by pointing out other examples of the same theme and/or b)
extend the logic by thinking about the idea: quibbling with the
interpretation, considering the implications of the claim,
identifying seeming internal contradictions, identifying
fundamental assumptions, refining distinctions, etcetera. Avoid
simply agreeing or amplifying another's claim. Thoughtful posts
must be original, and may not repeat posts made by others.
Read Herman Melville's
Benito Cereno
, pages 1526 - 1583 of the
Norton anthology of American literature 1