Today's lesson addressed the novel's themes with a focus on the conflict between morality and adherence to certain inflexible laws of society, in the novel manifested as military discipline. As Billy Budd is unjustly accused of mutiny, we examined the author's repeated use Christ imagery ,but noted how, unlike Christ, Billy does not forgive his accuser but instead strikes him dead, almost reflexively . We explored how this scene had been foreshadowed and how Capt. Vere's fatherly attitude toward Billy dramatically alters upon Claggart's death notwithstanding that Capt.Vere recognizes that Claggart falsely accused Billy. Joshua discussed the irony inherent in the shifted perception of Billy now as a malignant character with Claggart seen as the innocent victim .We tied this shift in perception to the theme of appearance and deceit .