Help me remember this short story?, or maybe novel?....

[Leanna Tomlinson]

I read it in high school, probably in my American Lit class. It was set in the 1800's? during the slave trade era. A captain of one ship boards another ship on the high seas and notices many things that puzzle him. The whole story is told from this captain's point of view. At the end of the story, he realizes that the ship he has boarded is actually being controlled by the slaves. If I remember correctly, the entire story is told in 1st person.

 

My 17yo dd is trying to finish up her Am Lit credit and I was telling her about this story; now, we both want to read it, but I can't remember the title or author.

[Sebastian (a lady)]

Sounds a little like Slave Dancer, but I think the POV there was that of a boy.

 

But I think that it did have the plot device of the slaves steering the ship a different way when the crew was asleep.

[Leanna Tomlinson]

Thank you, Sebastian.

 

Rebecca in VA just answered on the high school forum. The title is "Benito Cereno" by Melville.

 

Now, I'm curious to read "Slave Dancer" too!

[kalanamak]

Thank you, Sebastian.

 

Rebecca in VA just answered on the high school forum. The title is "Benito Cereno" by Melville.

!

 

I remember holding my breath as the man is shaved, with that razor right over his throat.

[Leanna Tomlinson]

I remember holding my breath as the man is shaved, with that razor right over his throat.

 

Oh!!! I had forgotten about that part; the images are flooding back, and it's been well over 20 years since I read that story! I'm heading to the library this afternoon. :)

[The Girls' Mom]

I just found this:

 

http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/americanlit1e/content/cat_040/Kelly_Benito-Cereno.pdf

 

Complete with annotations :001_smile:

[Leanna Tomlinson]

:hurray: It never occurred to me that the whole text would be online. Thanks!