Final answer:
The boys may not believe Stanley about stealing the sneakers because it seems out of character for him, leading to a clash between perception and reality.
Step-by-step explanation:
The boys in the story might not believe Stanley when he claims to have stolen the sneakers because their perception of Stanley's character conflicts with the act of theft. Often in literature, characters are confronted with situations that challenge their moral compass or their usual behavior, leading others to doubt their confessions if such actions seem out of character. Additionally, Stanley's internal struggle with the idea of theft and considering whether to return the money highlights a typical literary exploration of a character's battle between right and wrong.
It is also possible that the boys' disbelief comes from a stereotype or an inability to perceive Stanley as someone capable of doing wrong. In the context of the selected excerpts, characters frequently struggle with the perception versus the reality of others' actions, which can lead to doubt and disbelief.