The second stage of Herman Melville ’s writing career focuses on short stories. In this stage,Herman Melville’s writing style turns to realism from early romanticism. In a relatively shorter length,he intensively reflects his analysis on and insight into specific social issues. Based on the a-nalysis of Wen Shu Ba Tuo Er Bi,Benito Cereno,and the Sailor Billy Budd,the author attempts to discuss the way Herman Melville’s building of reality in short stories,including the use of powerful symbols,the criticism of lies,such as soft-touch management,racial supremacy and justice,and a special narrative style different from the one told by an omnipotent narrator. It is in the truthfulness that the transcendent power of Melville’s short stories lies.