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Article: Works of Herman Melville: Billy Budd: Chapters 20 - 27
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Melville, Herman
Monarch Notes
01-01-1963
Billy Budd: Chapters 20 - 27
Chapter Twenty
When Billy finds himself in a private conference with Claggart and the
Captain, he is surprised, but thinks perhaps he is getting a promotion, for
his honest, simple nature cannot sense any hint of danger.
The Captain gives orders that the cabin door be closed and they are not
to be disturbed. He then tells Claggart to repeat to Billy's face what he had
previously related to him so that he may examine the mutually confronting
faces. At this command, just as a physician in an insane asylum approaches a
patient on the verge of a violent outburst, Claggart advances in a
self-controlled and calm manner toward ...