Billy Budd

*Billy Budd* is a novella by Herman Melville that explores themes of justice, innocence, and authority. It tells the story of Billy, a young, good-natured sailor known for his charm and honesty. Despite his innocence, Billy is falsely accused of mutiny and faces a harsh dilemma: his captain must choose between justice and mercy. The narrative examines how societal rules and personal morality clash in difficult situations, ultimately raising questions about the nature of good and evil, and the complexities of human judgment within strict hierarchies.