If Beale Street Could Talk: Troubled About My Soul Summary & Analysis

In the first scene of If Beale Street Could Talk, Baldwin establishes the novel’s preoccupation with love, and readers see right away that this will be a book about the resilience of human connection in difficult times. Tish struggles to connect with Fonny “through glass” but nevertheless manages to focus on the beauty of his eyes, fortifying herself against the difficulties of their forced separation. Baldwin also laces a sense of anticipation into the narrative of this initial scene, as readers—and Fonny—prepare for Tish to “break down some real heavy shit.” This anticipation foreshadows the seemingly endless amount of waiting Fonny and Tish must endure throughout the book, as Fonny’s time in jail stretches on and on. “The Tombs” is the name of a correctional facility in Manhattan.

Because Fonny is in jail and Tish is so young, it’s unsurprising that he immediately begins to worry about her pregnancy. After all, it’s quite possible he won’t be out of prison before the baby comes. Tish’s pregnancy then becomes like a ticking clock, emphasizing all that Fonny is missing out on by languishing in prison. Although the sense of urgency surrounding Tish’s pregnancy and Fonny’s freedom is overwhelming, the idea of having a child also gives him a sense of hope and levity, as evidenced by the fact that he and Tish start joking and laughing shortly after she breaks the news.

Again, Baldwin underlines the ways in which Tish’s pregnancy makes Fonny even more aware of the timeframe of his prison stay. When Tish displays a sense of unshakeable optimism, she commits herself to lending Fonny a sense of hope, knowing that this kind of positive thinking is perhaps the only thing that will keep him resilient.

When Tish thinks about “lawyers and bondsmen” as vultures, she addresses the fact that the legal system to which Fonny must submit is inherently exploitative and oppressive, since rich white lawyers and bondsmen are simply waiting to profit off of the misfortune of young black men like Fonny. She also rejects the idea that a prisoner’s loved ones should be “ashamed” of them—after all, they are at the mercy of unjust power structures, the same structures that enable exploitative lawyers and bondsmen to prey on disadvantaged prisoners and their families in the first place. By examining this dynamic, Tish frames the entire legal system as prejudiced and manipulative.

Tish sets forth an important idea in this moment, upholding that the best way to endure long-lasting hardship is by focusing on the present. She suggests that the burden of constant anticipation can overwhelm even the strongest person.

Part of the isolation Tish feels in this moment has to do with the fact that she and Fonny are at a disadvantage in American society. The structures of power—including the legal system—that rule New York City (and the United States in general) make it all too easy to imprison a black man like Fonny without having to provide much in the way of justification. Because of this, Tish knows she can’t stand up in public and ask for help, since there’s nothing anyone can do to defeat the injustice of the law. She not only feels “alone,” but frightened about what will happen to the father of her unborn child.

Although this is only the story of Fonny and Tish’s first true interaction and ultimately has very little to do with their adult relationship, it’s worth noting that their connection begins with a sense of animosity. Baldwin thus demonstrates that love can blossom even in strange, unaccommodating circumstances. In the same way that Tish and Fonny manage to fall in love despite their turbulent history, it seems their connection will easily triumph over the hardships of Fonny’s imprisonment.

In this flashback, readers see that Frank is a kind man who has a connection with Tish, whom he clearly likes. This is important to keep in mind as the novel progresses, as Tish’s family ends up inviting Frank into their close circle in order to provide an effective support network for Fonny.

In this section, readers see that judgmental attitudes can strain relationships. This is the case when Fonny distances himself from Mrs. Hunt, as she seemingly tries to shame him into adopting her way of life. The fact that Fonny ends up becoming close to his father because he doesn’t judge Fonny only further establishes the fact that kindness and acceptance are what create meaningful human relationships.

By this point in the novel, it’s rather clear that Frank and Mrs. Hunt do not have a good relationship, mostly because Mrs. Hunt seems to subject him to the same kind of critical judgment that she also forces upon Fonny. Fonny’s statement that he’ll “always love” his father because he didn’t leave is worth noting as well, since Fonny himself is no doubt worried that his imprisonment will keep him from being there for his own child.

For Tish, religion is inextricably intertwined with Mrs. Hunt’s unforgiving judgment, which makes Tish feel inferior. This, it seems, is why she is so put off by the experience of going to church, ultimately feeling a lack of acceptance and a sense of shame about the way she leads her life. This is the same feeling Tish experiences when she walks into the prison, since she knows that she and Fonny are at the mercy of a legal system that judges them harshly without taking into consideration who they actually are. In the same way that Mrs. Hunt looks down upon Tish without stopping to truly get to know her, the jail system subjects black people to unfair judgment simply because they are black.

Without even having to be told, Sharon understands what’s going on with Tish. This demonstrates her skills as a mother, showcasing the fact that she’s very much in touch with her children. She not only anticipates that Tish is pregnant, but she immediately soothes her by insisting that she doesn’t have anything “to cry about,” thereby helping her daughter view her own pregnancy as a good thing, something that might give her and Fonny hope. In contrast to Mrs. Hunt’s parenting techniques, Sharon has a remarkable ability to support her loved ones.

Unlike Mrs. Hunt, Sharon knows it’s important to support her children with love. This is why she goes out of her way to make sure Tish knows she doesn’t think she’s a “bad girl” for getting pregnant, since this kind of judgment would only estrange her from Tish and make it harder for her to help her through this difficult period. She also articulates the fact that Fonny’s imprisonment has more to do with and racism than with anything he’s actually done, suggesting that his predicament is simply a continuation of America’s historical bigotry.

Sharon goes out of her way to stress how important the baby will be to Fonny, insisting that it will give him hope and “courage.” Tish’s pregnancy becomes something that can buoy his (and her) spirits.

The attitude embodied by the vocational school Fonny used to attend encapsulates the harmful narratives that have made their way into society about young African Americans. By devaluing black students, these kinds of institutions create a self-fulfilling prophecy, since they take hope away from children and force them to see themselves as unintelligent and—thus—unsuccessful. In this way, readers see the systemic racism that has followed people like Fonny throughout their lives.

Baldwin suggests that the only way for a black person to survive in a racist society is by finding something to support them, something that can provide emotional relief from suffering. Sculpture sustains Fonny and helps him maintain his appreciation of life, though it’s worth keeping in mind that he can’t practice his art in prison. Similarly, Fonny’s imprisonment takes him away from Tish, thereby depriving her of the love that keeps her from succumbing to despair. In turn, readers see the extent to which the legal system actively takes away anything that might help young black people withstand the crushing pressure of racism.

When Tish says it’s a “crime” in America to not belong—in a symbolic but nonetheless serious sense—to a white person, she articulates the unfortunate fact that strong-willed young black men like Fonny are often persecuted for their ambition, independence, and unwillingness to submit to bigotry. She also makes it clear that the Hunt family has a very fraught dynamic, one in which resentment and scorn run wild, making it impossible for the family members to provide one another with love and support. Up against pervasive racism and without a true support network, Fonny has little to turn to.

Since Fonny’s own family (other than Frank) is unwilling or unable to give him loving support, Tish’s family steps in to serve this function. They resolve to pay Fonny’s legal fees because they see him as one of their own family members. This is a testament to their kindness and their ability to extend love to others, especially since they (except for Sharon) don’t even know yet that Tish is pregnant. Their commitment has nothing to do with a sense of obligation and everything to do with their simple desire to help.

Even with a healthy support network, Tish feels “alone with [her] trouble.” This is because Fonny’s problem seems insurmountable, since proving his innocence will be an uphill battle. However, she isn’t truly “alone” in this matter, since her family members clearly want to do whatever they can to get Fonny out of prison. The fact that she feels this way, then, illustrates how easy it is to feel isolated when facing hardship, even when a person is surrounded by loving and supportive people.

Like Sharon, Ernestine isn’t surprised to hear that Tish is pregnant. This illustrates how closely attuned the women in her family are to her, picking up on the first sign of change in her life. In turn, readers see once again how strong the bond is between Tish and her family members.

Again, Tish’s family members make sure that she doesn’t feel ashamed for getting pregnant, never wanting her to think of herself as a “bad girl.” Her parents understand that if she thinks they’re judging her, she will likely distance herself from them, much like Fonny distanced himself from his mother because of her scornful attitude toward him. Picking up on this sentiment, Ernestine tells her to “unbow” her head, inviting Tish to take pride in the fact that she’s going to bring life into the world.

Emotional support doesn’t have to come only from family members, as is made clear by the kindness Pedrocito shows Tish after Fonny is arrested. Although If Beale Street Could Talk focuses on the many cruelties and injustices of American society, it also champions a certain amount of faith in humanity, offering up examples of empathy and compassion that help readers maintain a sense of hope regarding the ways in which people treat one another.

It’s clear that the resentment running through the Hunt family hasn’t disappeared in the aftermath of Fonny’s imprisonment. Rather than rallying around Fonny and supporting him, Sheila voices her overall disapproval of the way he has lived his life. In doing so, she puts herself at odds not only with Tish, but Ernestine, Sharon, and Joseph, too, all of whom care deeply about Fonny and have committed to doing anything they can to help him. After all, they understand that he’s innocent. Sheila, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to care whether or not he committed a crime, since his failure to do “his reading and studying” is evidence enough for her that he deserves punishment.

Frank is wary of Mr. Hayward because he has trouble believing that a white man in a position of power would ever do something to help a black man. This makes sense, considering the fact that Fonny is in this predicament because of white men who have abused their power to make sure he’s put in prison, though Baldwin hasn’t yet revealed the exact details of how this happened. Mrs. Hunt is perhaps right to urge him to leave behind such pessimistic thoughts, but she ultimately seems more interested in arguing with Frank for the sake of putting him down than actually helping him find hope.

The animosity between Fonny and his family members has, it seems, made its way into Tish’s relationship with the Hunt women. Because Adrienne seems to resent Fonny so much, Tish can’t help but resent her back. In turn, Baldwin illustrates that, in the same way that loving kindness often leads to more kindness, resentment and scorn can also perpetuate themselves.

Mrs. Hunt condescends to Tish by asking who will “be responsible” for the baby, ultimately implying that Tish isn’t “responsible” enough to care for her own child. Going on, she casts the same kind of negative judgment on Tish that she has always directed at Fonny, though this time she blames her for corrupting her son. Indeed, she acts as if Fonny is in jail because of Tish, altogether ignoring the fact that Fonny’s imprisonment has nothing to do with their relationship and everything to do with an unjust legal process.

Once again, readers see how much the Hunt women and their harsh judgment of Fonny sow division between the two families. Unwilling to accept Tish’s pregnancy, they continue to disparage Fonny, focusing not on the situation at hand, but on their feelings of superiority. This, in turn, enables them to avoid having to reckon with the difficult fact that one of their family members is in serious trouble.

It’s worth paying attention to Mrs. Hunt’s word choice in this scene, as she refers to Tish’s unborn child as a “bastard.” Considering that a “bastard” is a fatherless child, it becomes clear that Mrs. Hunt doesn’t think Fonny will ever be released from prison. This stands in stark contrast to the kind of optimism Tish and her family members are trying to maintain. Perhaps because she recognizes Mrs. Hunt’s pessimism—or apathy—Sharon tries to get her to see that the baby has “nothing to do with” whether or not Fonny is set free. Whatever happens, “that child” will need love and support, which Mrs. Hunt is clearly incapable of providing.

In this moment, Tish implies that Mrs. Hunt has “tried to kill” Fonny. She believes that Mrs. Hunt’s apathy when it comes to Fonny’s case is a blatant indication that she doesn’t care what happens to her son. In turn, readers see that Tish—and, by extension, Ernestine and Sharon—find it “obscene” that Mrs. Hunt and her daughters aren’t giving Fonny the love and support he needs to survive his imprisonment.

Throughout If Beale Street Could Talk, Baldwin provides flashbacks that detail the progression of Tish and Fonny’s relationship. By showcasing their budding love, the author effectively establishes the book’s interest in examining close human connections and the ways in which romance affects peoples’ lives, as both Fonny and Tish seemingly prioritize their love over everything else. This is made clear by Tish’s immediate willingness to marry Fonny even though he can’t provide her with much.

When Joseph tells Fonny and Tish to “take care of each other,” he emphasizes the importance of loving support. In fact, he goes out of his way to clarify that this is “more than a notion,” ultimately urging them to recognize that, although it may seem cliché, love truly can lead to lasting strength and resilience. On another note, this is now the second time in the novel that Tish has delivered big news to her parents. Both times, her family is quite accepting, clearly knowing that subjecting Tish to harsh judgment would only upset her and drive her away.

Baldwin begins to reveal the details of Fonny’s case. By withholding this information for so long, he has essentially put readers in a position that is somewhat similar to what Fonny himself is going through in jail. Fonny is an innocent man at the mercy of the legal system, meaning that he has no idea—or control over—when he will be released. Similarly, readers wait and wait to find out why Fonny is in jail. A sense of anticipation builds, one that reflects the excruciating anticipation Fonny feels as he wastes away in the terrible environment of the Tombs.

The fact that Daniel and Tish’s testimonies “count for nothing” is quite depressing, but it is the unfortunate reality of their situation, especially since the District Attorney—who will be prosecuting Fonny—is just as racist as Officer Bell, the policeman who testified against Fonny. It becomes clear that it will be very hard for Hayward to make sure Fonny gets a fair trial, since the most powerful people involved in the entire process are overtly racist. This demonstrates the ways in which bigotry has worked its way into the city’s power structures, making it even harder for somebody like Fonny to prove his innocence.

The D.A.’s attempt to manipulate Daniel into changing his testimony is a perfect demonstration of how people often use fear and intimidation in order to carry out racist agendas. Daniel’s “record” puts him in a precarious situation, since the D.A. is clearly trying to use it against him so that he’s too afraid to come to Fonny’s aid, ultimately isolating both men from one another and making it harder for them to fight their own oppression. On top of this, Mrs. Rogers’s disappearance means that Fonny will have to continue to wait for his trial. Using Tish’s pregnancy as something of an internal clock, Baldwin stresses how devastating it will be for Fonny to learn that he has to continue to languish in jail.

Despite Frank’s skepticism regarding Hayward, it becomes rather clear in this scene that he genuinely wants to help Fonny. Although he is asking for more money, it’s only because he needs to pay special investigators to track down Mrs. Rogers. Hayward is emotionally invested in Fonny’s case and in Tish’s happiness, and this is something of a breath of fresh air, considering that the other white people in this novel—like Officer Bell and the District Attorney—are openly racist and hateful. Hayward manages to give Tish—and readers—a small sense of hope.

Daniel’s possession of marijuana puts him in an unfortunate situation, because although it is a minor offense to have a small amount of the drug, it gives the racist authorities a certain amount of leverage, which they use to manipulate him into working against his own best interests. In turn, readers see how unfair the legal system can be, as law enforcement officials use their power over disenfranchised black men like Daniel. By intimidating Daniel, these officials effectively convince him to give up all hope of trying to prove his innocence.

What becomes most clear in this moment is the extent to which fear can fundamentally change a person’s life. Daniel suggests that the fear of being a prisoner is made worse when a person doesn’t know what will happen to him. This is significant to the narrative of If Beale Street Could Talk, since Fonny himself is now in a similar predicament to Daniel. In this way, readers come to understand that even if Fonny eventually does get out of jail, the time he has spent as a prisoner will stay with him for the rest of his days. The question of when or if he will ever be set free weighs even more heavily over the story.

This is one of the first times Fonny loses his temper as a result of his harrowing circumstances. Although he’s normally rather optimistic given his bleak situation, in this scene he finds himself unable to hold back his anger and desperation, a reaction that is ultimately very understandable. However, he quickly reverts back to his calm, cool demeanor, suddenly trying to soothe Tish. He looks to their love as a way to keep his mind off of depressing thoughts.

Once again, Sharon proves her ability to support her daughter. Rather than telling Tish that everything will turn out fine—which would be a naïve thing to say—she admits that things “sometimes” “end for worse.” While this might seem rather depressing, Sharon insists that this is simply part of being alive. Indeed, she frames suffering as a natural part of life, asserting that the only thing worse than feeling pain is numbing oneself to difficult emotions. In the face of such pain, she upholds, the only thing to do is to “trust love.”

It’s noteworthy that Tish says she has “known” prostitutes her entire life without ever actually bothering to “look” at them. This means that she hasn’t really “known” them at all, but has written them off before giving herself a chance to truly consider why, exactly, these women have chosen to sell their bodies. When she says that her “judgment” has “had very little to do with morals,” she begins to accept that morality isn’t always black and white—rather, a person’s choices depend on a number of factors. In her own case, she begins to wonder if it would really be so immoral to become a prostitute if doing so meant she could save Fonny. In this way, her conception of morality begins to shift, as does the way she judges the people around her.

Not only does Tish have to face the ins and outs of racism because of Fonny’s trial, she’s also subject to subtler—but still harmful—forms of prejudice, as white men objectify her and use their inherent power (both as customers and as white people) to take liberties with how they touch her. By providing Mrs. Rogers’s statement, Baldwin shows readers that Fonny and his loved ones are up against a very difficult case, since her accusation portrays him quite unfavorably.

The most discouraging element of Fonny’s case is the fact that the actual truth doesn’t seem to matter. It’s obvious that Fonny wasn’t anywhere near Mrs. Rogers when she was raped, since he was at home on the other side of town, a perfectly sound alibi that would no doubt clear his name if he were a white man. Unfortunately, though, the racist legal system cares more about what a white police officer has to say than what three black people (Fonny, Tish, and Daniel) claim, meaning that in this particular scenario, the truth is less important than the racial hierarchies that fuel the courts.

During this conversation, Ernestine proposes that Mrs. Rogers’s accusation of Fonny has little to do with the actual truth. This aligns with the fact that the truth doesn’t seem to matter much in this particular court case. Interestingly enough, though, this doesn’t mean Mrs. Rogers doubts her own testimony. Indeed, Ernestine wisely suggests that Mrs. Rogers believes Fonny raped her because believing this helps her move beyond the issue altogether. In other words, she searches for a quick resolution, ultimately hoping that this will help her put the entire incident behind her.

The frank but helpful talk Ernestine has with Tish in this scene is a perfect example of how she helps her sister stay strong in these difficult times. Like Sharon, she refuses to simply tell Tish that everything will get better, instead choosing to be honest about how hard it will be to prove Fonny’s innocence. At the same time, though, her tireless work to help make things better lets Tish know that she’s supported, ultimately allowing her to focus on her pregnancy, which is her only true source of hope and optimism at this point.

Like Sharon and Ernestine, Joseph and Frank are willing to do anything to help their children. However, the fact that Joseph talks about knowing “some hustles” suggests that he and Frank are going to break the law as a way of addressing Fonny’s situation. Baldwin doesn’t present this as something to be judged, but rather uses it as an example of the ways in which systemic racism disempowers black people and encourages people like Joseph and Frank to break the law, since this is the only option available to them. In turn, they risk getting arrested themselves, thereby perpetuating a cycle of incarceration.

The way the authorities treat Daniel is yet another indication that the structures of power surrounding Tish and her loved ones are blatantly manipulative. Indeed, by scaring Daniel out of testifying to prove Fonny’s innocence, the District Attorney effectively isolates the two young men, who might otherwise be able to help one another stand up to unfair accusations. In this way, readers see that fear and intimidation often disincentivize young black men from advocating for themselves.

In this section, Baldwin confirms that Frank and Joseph are breaking the law in order to support Fonny and Tish through this difficult period. Readers see that Fonny’s imprisonment has not only subjected him to injustice, but has actually created crime, since Joseph and Frank have seemingly no other way to make the money necessary to pay for Fonny’s legal fees.

One of the most frustrating things about Fonny’s situation is the fact that his mother and sisters aren’t working to help prove his innocence. In fact, they’re actively working against him by portraying him as “incorrigible and worthless,” two things that have absolutely nothing to do with whether or not he raped Mrs. Rogers. Unfortunately, though, the D.A. will be all too happy to use this information against Fonny, ultimately weaponizing the Hunt women’s remarks and making things harder for the people who actually want to support Fonny. As a result, readers see how destructive it can be for a family to hold on to so much resentment.

If Beale Street Could Talk is a novel that balances beauty and ugliness, juxtaposing cruelty with snapshots of human kindness. In this section, Baldwin presents Levy’s empathy as something that enables Fonny and Tish to advance in life, suggesting that even a relatively small act of kindness can make a big difference. Unfortunately, though, the beauty of this is quickly counteracted by the “junkie” and his aggressive behavior. In turn, it becomes clear that people have to find ways to focus on the goodness of humanity even when evil and malice is seemingly ever-present.

The police officer’s immediate assumption that Fonny is the one who did something wrong in this moment shows how racism has made its way into the city’s structures of power. Rather than addressing the actual problem, this officer creates a new one by harassing Fonny based on his race, thereby demonstrating the fact that bigotry gets in the way of actually upholding the law.

The grocer’s willingness to stand up for Fonny is admirable, but it’s worth noting that she actually ends up putting him in danger. She humiliates Officer Bell because this is what he deserves, but she doesn’t stop to think about the possible consequences of making him feel inferior. This is because the grocer knows that she—as a white person—will be safe no matter what. She doesn’t stop to think about the fact that Bell might take his anger out on Fonny, which is exactly what happens. Bell now has Fonny’s address and a desire to harm him.

After their first altercation with Officer Bell, Fonny makes it clear that he has a thorough understanding of how white people in positions of power can seemingly do whatever they want to him. Tragically, all of his fears end up coming true when Bell convinces Mrs. Rogers to accuse him of raping her.

When Tish and Fonny see Officer Bell staked outside Fonny’s apartment, Baldwin infuses the narrative with a sense of anticipation, as readers know that Bell will soon arrest Fonny for allegedly raping Mrs. Rogers. Even amidst this tension, though, Fonny and Tish focus on their relationship, ultimately throwing themselves even more fervently into one another. When they become “one” after conceiving their child, they essentially use their bond to distract themselves from the terror and injustice they experienced earlier in the day.

Although Pietro’s unwillingness to let Sharon see Victoria Rogers poses a problem for Fonny’s trial, it’s worth considering the issue from his perspective. After all, he is only trying to protect his loved one from hardship, which is exactly what Sharon is trying to do, too. Baldwin shows the extent to which people will go to for the people they care about, and even though it’s easy to see Pietro as an antagonist in this moment, it’s quite clear that he’s only trying to support Victoria—an altogether admirable thing to do.

When Sharon asks Pietro to show the picture to Victoria Rogers, she tries to appeal to Mrs. Rogers’s humanity. However, Pietro refuses to do this, since he’s trying to protect his loved one from further emotional turbulence. And though this is unfortunate for Sharon—and Fonny—it’s easy to see that Pietro only wants to support Victoria and make it easier for her to process the traumatic experience of getting raped.

Tish’s determination to keep working showcases her strong desire to do anything she can to help Fonny. Unfortunately, earning money to pay for his legal fees requires her to see him less often, since she has to skip certain visiting hours to maintain her work schedule. As such, she finds herself unable to provide him with the emotional support he needs. Readers thus see how difficult it is for her to help Fonny through his imprisonment, as she is caught between multiple responsibilities.

To convince Tish to quit her job, Joseph emphasizes how important it is that she remain healthy so she can safely bring her and Fonny’s baby into the world. After all, this child is the only thing Fonny has to look forward to, the only thing keeping him from succumbing to despair. Tish sees that her father is right, eventually deciding to quit her job so that now she can not only keep herself (and the baby) in good condition, but also so she can be with Fonny more often, since she is “all he’s got.”

Again, readers see the impact of Tish’s pregnancy on Fonny. With no other forms of hopefulness to cling to, he invests himself in her pregnancy, celebrating her growing figure because it is a sign that something—at least—is going according to plan. Unsurprisingly, seeing Tish every day helps him stay focused on this thin glimmer of hope, infusing his life with a positivity that wouldn’t otherwise be available to him.

By showing Mrs. Rogers the photograph of Fonny and Tish, Sharon tries to portray Fonny as a regular man with a regular life, the type of person who is capable of loving and being loved. Unfortunately, she fails to approach the subject of Mrs. Rogers’s rape with the appropriate amount of sensitivity. This is perhaps because she’s so sure that Fonny didn’t rape Mrs. Rogers that she doesn’t even stop to think about how blunt her question is when she asks, “Is this the man who raped you?” It’s also obvious that Sharon hasn’t—like Ernestine—stopped to consider the fact that Mrs. Rogers isn’t lying. Although she isn’t necessarily telling the truth, she does believe that Fonny is the man who raped her. As such, it’s no surprise that she responds poorly to Sharon’s ungraceful question, which only forces her to relive the traumatic moment of her rape.

Victoria Rogers’s life is dominated by a sense of fear, one that has stayed with her ever since she was raped. Similar to Daniel’s fear—which he feels after having spent time in prison—her frightened way of moving through the world will stay with her for the rest of her life. Tragically, Sharon fails to see this, and she makes a grave miscalculation by touching Mrs. Rogers, especially given that Mrs. Rogers is still dealing with the trauma of having survived an act of sexual violence. In this moment, Sharon lets her love of Fonny—and her desire to support Tish—blind her to Mrs. Rogers’s vulnerability.

Tish feels a strange kind of fear when she encounters Officer Bell on the street. Although her primary reaction to his presence is one of revulsion and scorn, she identifies it as a kind of “seduction,” one that encompasses elements of violence, “debasement,” and “revenge” “on both sides.” By casting this sensation in this way, she conveys the ugliness of such human connections (for lack of a better word). Of course, the only reason she and Bell have this dynamic in the first place is because he is a hateful and racist man who has purposefully degraded her and Fonny. As such, readers see that bigotry creates toxic and fraught relationships. Because Officer Bell has treated her so horribly, Tish is oddly drawn to the idea of “debas[ing]” him, ultimately demonstrating that hatefulness only breeds more hatefulness.