229: Herman Melville’s Billy Budd

In another edition of P&C’s “shortcut to the classics,” the boys review a classic moral tale

Along with special guest Longinus, the boys drink and review Pigweed’s homebrew clone of Steady Eddy IPA, then discuss Melville’s last major work.

The story of Billy Budd is carefully crafted to create a tale of moral confusion and conflict. Set after the French revolution, and very shortly after two significant mutinies in the British fleet, the innocent Billy has run afoul of the law on a British warship. His case cries out for leniency, but it’s not a time for leniency.

The story makes you believe Melville was struggling with the conflict between justice and mercy.

This is a short, dense work, that’s well worth your attention.