Thinking outside the box...

Benito Cereno, being written from the protagonist perspective of Captain Delano, can sway the readers' by giving them a very negative connotation of the slaves aboard the San Dominick. With the conclusion of the story, the reader generally will have garnered a sense of satisfaction knowing that the slave revolt on the ship was put down by the valiant efforts of Captain Delano and Don Benito. It is very interesting to take a gander into this story from the perspective of the slaves and to understand how they felt during these events.
In Benito Cereno, it is often overlooked that these slaves were wrenched from their homeland and forced into submission by the Spaniards. The narrator conveys an image of unrelenting cruelty and lack of pity when describing the actions of the slaves whereas this very description can be used to characterize the actions of the Spaniards. When Delano had the epiphany of perceiving the macrocosm of the slaves hidden scheme, it was said that, "the scales dropped from his eyes, [he] saw the negroes, not in misrule, not in tumult, not as if frantically concerned for Don Benito, but with mask torn away, flourishing hatchets and knives, in ferocious piratical revolt." It seems most likely that the majority subjected to these aforementioned conditions would do their best to formulate a plan in order to overthrow their oppressors. The narrator also says via Don Benito's account that, "Don Alexandro; that, yet half alive and mangled, they dragged him on deck; that they were going to throw him overboard in that state..."
This all being said, it is hard to read this story with empathy towards the slaves. It intrigues me to think how easily this story could have been shifted from satisfying to tragic by switching protagonist aspects. Authors have so much power in controlling the readers' emotions and their response to works of literature simply telling the story from the perspective of their choosing.

An affinity for pain.

Throughout "The Raven," the narrator seems to be in a constant need to feel misery for himself. He has lost his love, "Lenore," and seems to be in a state of mourning for her. It is a bleak night in December, and he is sitting in his chamber alone trying to console himself by reading. When he rises and opens the door in response to a tapping he whispers, "Lenore," in hopes that his love has returned. Even though he knows she is gone, he cannot let go of her and, in a way, seems to ravish himself in his lonely pain.
In addition to opening of the door, he also, "flung the shutter," to seek out a tapping on the window. Immediately a Raven, which is considered a dark omen, flies in and ironically lands on a bust of Athena who is the Greek goddess of wisdom. This here may indicate that what the bird has to say is indeed veritable. Contrary to common instinct, the narrator is actually enchanted by the bird rather than being put off. Perhaps his "smile" is a smile made despite his instinct of knowing that the bird will not be the bearer of auspicious conditions--a smile of hopeless naivety. The bird's only uttered word is "nevermore," yet the narrator still asks questions such as, "is there balm in Gilead?" Why would the narrator ask such a question if he knew the response would be "nevermore"? He also goes on to ask whether he will ever be able to forget Lenore which of course the raven replies to with, "nevermore."
It seems as if pain is something the narrator at this time indirectly desires in his life. It is interesting to see how the bird initially intrigues him, but ultimately brings fear and hopelessness into his life. Perhaps the readers are suppose to relate the raven to ominous things that they let fly into their lives all the while knowing that they will only bring sorrow and heartache. The narrator certainly knew what kind of responses he was to hear from the Raven, and yet he continued to seek answers that he knew would bring him to new depths of pain. He knew that his, "soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor shall be lifted--nevermore!"

Warren

I am going to be honest, after reading the play, I am still in the dark as to a lot of what is happening. It seems to me that there are a lot of cultural and temporal references that we as twenty-first century Americans will not easily catch. But I do get a sense of Warren's drive to portray Tories as very self-seeking. There seems to be a constant, underlying theme of man's drive to gain riches and fame. This is evident when Monsieur states that he will, "feel but slight remorse to sell my country for a grasp of Gold." It is interesting to see how, when stripped down, it is ultimately a struggle to see who can have the highest social position when everything is said and done.
In addition, Beau-Trumps states that, "there's naught on earth that has such tempting charms as rank and show, and pomp, and glittering dress..." He says this in response to Monsieur's desperate need of, "some honorary post, some small distinction, to save my name from dark oblivious jaws..." Although the group doesn't always agree, they all fundamentally have the same agenda.
Simple Sappling, when speaking of letting troops use his house as barracks, says that that he, "somehow think[s] it would ear a noble sound, to have [his] mansion guarded by the King." He doesn't really have any other motivation behind this other than to gain personal fame and respect. Warren is trying to portray the utter depravity of the Tories and the lack of true patriotism that they have. Beau-Trumps also goes on to say that he, "might attain a splendid glittering car... and leave [his] low competitors behind." Not only is this evident when speaking of political matters, but it is also clearly evident when the men are speaking of their wives. They speak of them as simple tools from which are only useful when productive. They don't truly love their wives as equals, but only use them for personal gain. Warren is making a clear point to unveil the degeneracy and corruption of the Tories.

A haughty spirit

Throughout Benjamin Franklin's autobiography, it is clearly evident that it is his utmost concern to be in good standing with the people surrounding him. It is interesting to see how throughout his work, not only does he write about his ambition to make sure his colleagues and friends see him as upstanding, but he also attempts to persuade the reader to look up to him by constantly edifying himself. Many times, Franklin will nonchalantly make references to his own greatness by using accolades incorporated into his anecdotes. Although it is generally subtle, it occurs often enough so that the reader cannot simply disregard it.
As I was reading through part three, I began to highlight every statement that was carefully contrived to better Franklin's reputation. Eventually, I began to highlight almost two statements within ever page. His creation of the sect that would only select the few upstanding and morally consummate citizens (which of course included himself) was almost painfully self-righteous. When speaking of the "young gentleman's" failed attempt to run against and replace him as clerk of the Assembly, he blatantly states that he was "chosen again unanimously as usual." When it came to the decision to choose a representative for the hall that was built to house speakers of all persuasions, he states that he was chosen, "with the observation that I was merely an honest man."
Often times, Franklin will speak of all of these "intimate" friendships he had with so many respected and famous people. How many "cordial and affectionate" friendships can one have over the course of his lifetime? Franklin, again, seems to be trying to woo the crowd's admiration by attempting to gain popularity by association. He will many times drop in statements such as, "Mine happened to be prefered..." which is trying to indirectly lure the readers into seeing him as infallible in his decisions.
What I see this all boiling down to is Franklin's need of confirmation and reassurance from others in order to gain any self esteem. It seems as if he cannot be content with himself unless all his friends and acquaintances (even his enemies) see him as just and upright. Although Franklin is unequaled in his role as an American, it would have been prudent for him to be confident in who he was rather than looking to others for approval. Humility is a virtue that is difficult to attain, but once achieved, produces more respect from others than any other means.