Question

What does Mrs. Jones mean when she warns Roger about stealing and says that “shoes come by devilish like that will burn your feet”? Use at least two details from the story to support your response.

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Answer 1

In the story, "Mrs. Jones" warns Roger about the consequences of stealing by referring to shoes that can burn his feet. This implies that engaging in theft leads to negative outcomes, just as wearing shoes obtained through dishonest means can cause harm.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the story, "Mrs. Jones" warns Roger about stealing and says that "shoes come by devilish like that will burn your feet." This means that Mrs. Jones is cautioning Roger about the consequences of stealing. She is indicating that engaging in theft can lead to negative consequences, just like how putting on shoes that have been obtained through dishonest means can cause harm.

Two details from the story that support this interpretation are:

1. The quote, "These here are first-rate shoes, Miss Baker. Look here, Mister Grannis, get on to the shoes Miss Baker gi' me. You ain't got a pair you don't want, have you? You two people have less junk than any one else in the flat." This dialogue shows that the shoes Roger is offered are likely stolen or obtained in an unethical manner.
2. The quote, "On the Rays we met a woman with 2 little girls one in her arms the other about 4 years old walking by her side, a pretty little thing, but half starved. She had on a pair of slippers that had belonged to some gentleman's child, down at the heels, but it was not easy to keep them on - but, poor thing! young as she was, she walked carefully with them." This description highlights a character in the story who is wearing shoes that are too big for her and have likely been obtained in a less than legitimate way.