Herman Melville created each of the characters in Benito Cereno as representations. Captain Amasa Delano, who comes from Massachusetts, is our only American character in the novella and is portrayed in a stereotypical and often negative manner. It is through Captain Delano that the reader is given Melville’s negative interpretation of who or what an American is. Re-examine how Captain Delano is portrayed and explain how his character is a negative representation of how others view America and Americans. Think of each of his actions during the story. How are his actions representative of how most people view America? Also address why we seem to learn the fate of all of the main characters except Delano? What do you think Melville is suggesting about America by using this tactic? Think of the time period it is was written; it was just before the Civil War. Give specific examples from the story.