White privilege has existed since historical events that endured racism and prejudice. It is a concept of social advantages or immunity granted to whites over non-whites. Heman Melville's short story Benito Cereno is a third-person limited retelling of the historical event of a failed slave in captivity who rebels against the Spanish ship. Benito Cereno uses the "invisible man" to discuss the sightless metaphor between the slaves and the white characters. Melville criticizes discourses on white privilege but also its internal contradictions and the way it enables slave revolution. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Benito Cereno revolves around the climactic events following the events of the slave mutiny in San Domenico, controlled by the Spanish captain Don Benito. However, the slaves maintain a masquerade which causes American Captain Amasa Delano to remain blind to the truth about the control of the ship directed by Babo. Delano's blindness is shown in a literal and symbolic sense that generates a sense of uncertainty. At the beginning of the book, Delano finds himself in “gray vapors” and “creeping clouds” to allude to the illusion that his perception is weakened. He also fails to perceive the slave's revolt. It is only when Cerano joins the ship, desperate to prevent Babo's attempt to kill him, that the slave rebellion is evident. Delano is constantly reassured of his doubts due to the physical appearance of blacks, unsophisticated and whites, "by nature, the more prudent race". However, Delano's assumption of white supremacy becomes a liability. For example, Atufal who is one of the leaders of the slave revolt pretends to be chained while Cerano has possession of the key to his lock as proof that he has lordship over the slaves. Delano misunderstands the symbolic roles that take place between master and slave as Atufal simply pretends to refuse to ask his master for forgiveness, while Cerano himself is imprisoned. Captain Delano's firm belief in white supremacy leads him to stereotype Babo as the Spaniard's devoted companion. Interestingly, Babo is conceived as the invisible man and recognizes that it is sometimes advantageous to be invisible, playing the role of the emasculated black slave to achieve his own ends. During the shaving scene, Babo is actually in control of his master as he threatens to cut him with the razor if he decides to tell Delano any clues. Even after Babo's execution, his head can be seen as the shadow of blacks on whites, embodying the fear of white privilege over black inferiority. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay In Benito Cereno, white privilege becomes doubly blinding in not being able to see oneself clearly and also in not seeing how it would appear to other races. It demonstrates how black rescues were keenly aware of Delano's smug whiteness to exploit their former masters. For much of the story, Delano remained oblivious due to his objectification of blackness, as he was blinded to reality by his own white supremacist prejudices..