Billy Budd, Chapter 15 summary

What happens

1. Billy’s troubles with his belongings stop, while friendly smiles and greetings become more pronounced.
2. Claggart watches Billy with shifting expressions of sadness, longing, mockery, and sudden anger.
3. Billy notices odd behavior but accepts Claggart’s friendliness without suspecting hostility.
4. The armorer and captain of the hold give Billy suspicious looks, but his general popularity leaves him unconcerned.
5. The afterguardsman greets Billy cheerfully, and Billy neither challenges him nor investigates his hints about disaffection.
6. The narrator describes Claggart’s concealed fixation as deepening and pressing toward a decisive result.

In this chapter

What to notice

The image presents Claggart’s fixation as concealed but increasingly destructive. It contrasts with Billy’s lack of concern and Claggart’s outward self-control.

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