When Roger attempts to steal Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones's pocketbook, he trips, and Mrs. Jones quickly grabs him by the collar. As soon as Mrs. Jones grabs him by the collar and refuses to let go, Roger attempts to escape and becomes frightened that she will punish him for his attempted robbery. Roger believes that Mrs. Jones will either physically punish him or report him to the authorities. Mrs. Jones proceeds to drag Roger back to her home before she lets go of him and asks him several questions about his background and motivation to steal her pocketbook.
Immediately after Mrs. Jones lets go of Roger, he asks her if she is going to turn him into the police. As a young black male, Roger understands that the law is not on his side and fears being arrested. Ironically, Mrs. Jones does not punish or lecture Roger about his behavior and proceeds to make him a hot meal before giving him ten dollars to buy blue suede shoes. Mrs. Jones's benevolence and hospitality have a significant impact on Roger, who is astonished and appreciative of her generosity and forgiveness.
When Mrs. Jones takes hold of Roger and refuses to let him go, Roger is described as being "frightened." It is easy to see why Roger is afraid of Mrs. Jones. After all, he has just tried to steal her pocketbook and her reaction is one of anger. She tells Roger that she will wash his dirty face for him and teach him right from wrong. Moreover, Roger is afraid because she will not let him go, no matter how much he protests.
Like Roger, the reader might expect that Mrs. Jones will contact the police or, perhaps, take Roger back to her home and punish him. But the events which follow this scene could not be further from our expectations, thereby providing an example of situational irony. Mrs. Jones does take Roger home, but she washes and feeds him. She behaves kindly towards him and even gives him the money to buy a pair of suede shoes.
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