Billy are what establish the tension between Billy and Claggart, which sets the stage for a later confroconfrontation. Billy's ignorance becomes evident in his conversation with Dansker. Dansker says to Billy "Jimmy Legs is down on you." Billy disregards Dansker's remark byntation. Billy's ignorance becomes evident in his conversation with Dansker. Dansker says to Billy "Jimmy Legs is down on you." Billy disregards Dansker's remark Budd epitomizes the good nature of man. He is ignorant and innocent, but pure, like a child that does not yet understand the world in which he lives. Melville compares Billy's confusion to "a young horse fresh from the pasture suddenly inhaling a vile whiff from some chemical factory and by repeated snorting tries to get it out of his nostrils and lungs." Like the horse, Billy does not know how to survive in the environment of the naval ship. He was taken off the ship, Rights-of-Man, where he was a leader by econtinually messes up in small areas, like spilling the soup on the deck. These small incidents are what establish the tension between Billy and Claggart, which sets the stage for a later confrontation. Billy's ignorance becomes evident in his conversation with Dansker. Dansker says to Billy "Jimmy Legs is down on you." Billy disregards Dansker's remark by saying, "Why he calls me sweet and pleasant young fellow, they tell me." Since Billy xample as opposed to authority and placed on a naval ship, the Indomitable, where he did not know how to act or behave. For example, Billy does not know how to defend himself. Captain Vere says to Billy, "Speak, man! Speak! Defend yourself!" Not knowing what to do, Billy responds by acting strange and makes gurgling noises. Billy's naiveté is further shown through the way he tries to keep out of trouble for fear of being yelled at by his superiors. Despite his ef...