As Joshua completed reading the novel over the weekend ,we today examined and summarized three major motifs or themes: Christ imagery associated with Billy Budd, the corrupting influence of "civilization " or society on morality, and fiction as an avenue of truth. We additionally noted and explored the irony and significance of Billy Budd's last words-"Capt Vere"- and Capt Vere's last words -"Billy Budd".As Billy Budd has always been imbued with Christ imagery, we noted how the ship's chaplain finds that Billy Budd is not in need of comfort or last rites before his execution. Last, we examined the various final accounts of Billy's life, one in a weekly naval chronicle that distorts the truth ,and one in a sailor's ballad that recaptures Billy's welkin innocence. In this regard, we again noted the role of rumor and the "jagged edges of truth" that comprise the narrator's tale.