Question

What do you think motivates the "many in the queues" to blame the man for being robbed? Mention both implied and explicit details and defend both using evidence from the story.

Answer 1

The crowd gossips that the man seemed careless because he may have put his money in a pocket full of holes. The crowd may be judgmental because wealth is scarce and difficult to come by. Carelessness with such a large sum of money would be judged harshly by those who have comparatively little. Considering that Jonathan no longer has his mining job and many others were in the same place, the ex gratia money would be important for his family's survival in the near future. It is easier for the people to blame the man for his carelessness than to accept that everyday people are helpless against the "heartless ruffian" or the thief in the night.

Answer 2

They were afraid and worried. They didn't want harm to come to them.