In Herman Melville's "Benito Cereno," the quote "Nature cared not a jot" reflects the indifference of the natural world to human struggles and moral dilemmas. This notion emphasizes how nature remains uninfluenced by human affairs, highlighting the disconnect between human concerns and the broader forces at play in the universe.
The phrase suggests that while humanity often grapples with ethical choices and societal conflicts, nature operates on its own terms, unmoved by these intricacies. It serves as a poignant reminder of the larger existential themes present in the narrative, where characters face challenges that are dwarfed by the vastness and impartiality of nature itself.