Aashana Weekes
Professor Ahmad Kamal
Manhattanville College
4 March 2014
MVU-AYW-CS4
MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this paper is to examine the fourth case study titled Mutiny
on the Bounty. This case study is a novel inspired by the true account of the
mutiny that took place abroad the British merchant ship HMS bounty on April
28, 1789 in the South Pacific.
FACTS
The important facts which are relevant to an examination of this subject
are as follows:
This case study is about the crew of the HMS bounty and their voyage
from England to Tahiti in hopes of gathering specimens of breadfruit trees.
During this expedition, tension rose between the ships heads in commands-the
Captain Lieutenant William Bligh and his next in command Fletcher Christian.
Blighs leadership background stems from rising within the ranks of the navy-a
harsh intense environment. On the other hand, Christian was able to articulate
himself verbally due to his high education and formal upbringing. This is an
important characteristic one born into leadership must uphold.
Though the two seemed to make a compatible duo, contrast in personality
and views set their partnership awry. In the end, Bligh and his loyalists were put
on a separate boat upon whilst at Tahiti because of his mistreatment to his crew.
Nevertheless, after Fletcher was appointed captain, the crew were afraid Fletcher
would become another Bligh.
ANALYSIS
Based on the above facts, one can arrive at the following possible
opinions:
This case study analyzes the different types of leaders focusing on the
four theories of leadership being great man theory, situational theory,
contingency theory, and transformational theory. Throughout the case study, the
great man theory is constantly tested with Lieutenant Bligh being molded into a
leader while Fletcher Christian was born a leader. Christian leads the mutiny by
refusing to be under Blighs irrational command.
The difference in age sparks the generation gap in leadership qualities.
Since Bligh was molded into a leader rather than born into greatness, his tactics
on governing the crew became more about abusing his power in order to stay in
power whereas Christian sort the most rational decision possible for the greater
good of the crew.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, one can thus state that Mutiny on the Bounty educated readers
on the responsibilities of leadership and its struggles, as well as the consequences
of using oneself as data in order to create change. It also shed light on informal
leadership through the Fletcher Christian character, demonstrating the two types
of leaders and their values
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
