Military Machine
The British military machine is one of the key themes of the play, chiefly the way in which it railroads those who are weaker, and also the way in which they overpower the little guy. Ronnie is accused of petty theft but the legal team that is prosecuting him are high powered enough to be prosecuting someone accused of treason. The Navy in this play are not so much interested in justice but in proving themselves right in Ronnie's case. In Britain, citizens accused of crimes are entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty but it is pretty evident that Ronnie is assumed guilty and that the trial process is really nothing more than lip service to the law of the land.
The reaction of Catherine's future father in law to the case is also very telling when it comes to the way in which the military demand loyalty; although he is no longer actively serving he assumes the military to be in the right and Ronnie to be in the wrong, feeling so strongly that they should not be challenged that he orders his son to break off the engagement.
Victory for the Underdog
It would be hard to come up with a character in modern literature who is more of an underdog than Ronnie Winslow. He is disadvantaged in this situation on every level; he is still at naval college and so he is treated more like a kid in school than a military man in training. However he is also without anyone in his corner; he is fourteen years old, but his fate is decided by the college without any consultation with his father. He has no representation and is not offered any. He is basically a young boy challenging the government of the country, which seems like an unwinnable battle.
Even when Sir Robert Morton comes on board, the entire team representing Winslow seem to be fighting an uphill fight. The fact that they emerge victorious is an enormous victory for the underdog and also for continuing to fight for what one knows to be right however difficult the circumstances may seem to be.
Family Love and Loyalty
Ronnie is blessed with a family who believe in him and who know his character even when confronted with an accusation that he is dishonest. Catherine, his sister, does not even need to think about the accusations, she knows that they are untrue. Her father is also convinced of his son's innocence and does not think twice about challenging the government and the Navy in his defense.
Sir Robert is not a family member but he is a loyal man. After realizing that Ronnie is innocent, he determines to represent him to the best of his ability and even turns down one of the top positions in government so that he can continue to represent Ronnie in court.
