Final answer:
The old man's behavior differs from the rioters in that it is nonviolent, principled, and conducted alone, while the rioters' actions are aggressive and collective. His protest is a personal stand against the government, contrasting with the destructive nature of the riots. These actions represent differing interpretations of freedom.
Step-by-step explanation:
The behavior of the old man is distinctively different from that of the rioters. While the rioters are engaged in aggressive actions, looting, and defying authorities collectively, the old man's behavior is marked by a nonviolent, individual protest. His refusal to obey orders from the Governor and the Mayor exemplifies a spontaneous protest against the government. Unlike the rioters, he does not engage in looting or violence but instead faces the consequences of his civil disobedience alone, ultimately resulting in his arrest. Moreover, the old man's actions seem to be driven by principle rather than the anger or passion that typically characterizes a riot. Even when the rioters move on, the old man remains steadfast in his position, highlighting a key difference in conduct between himself and the rioters.
In contrasting the two narratives, the first scenario featuring Dr. Palmer, and second, the general behavior during riots, we see a discrepancy in objectives and execution - one stands for an issue in isolation with the hope of invoking thought, while the other is a collective unleashing of fury that may lead to destruction. This differentiation in conduct also suggests varying interpretations of freedom: for the former, it is the freedom to express one's views peacefully, while for the latter, it may represent a freedom from societal restraint, expressed tumultuously.