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Billy Budd Admiration Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #10

Everything is for a term venerated in navies. Any tangible object associated with some striking incident of the service is converted into a monument. (30.1)

As often happens in the novel, the narrator seems to reserve a condescending tone for speaking of average sailors. Do you perceive this condescension? If so, what do you make of it? Can you admire men like Captain Vere if you don't admire the men that they rule over and serve? What about the naval life makes sailors particularly susceptible to idol worship?