end. Much of her optimism comes from a general trusting nature. She depends on her loved ones to help her through her predicament, and, eventually, she depends on the wealthy white lawyer when nobody else around her seems to.

Her faith and optimism are tested relentlessly by her and Fonny's situation. At one point, Fonny's mother claims Tish is a vile seductress that is entirely to blame for Fonny's imprisonment. This causes a dramatic confrontation between the two families, forcing Tish to question the moral character of Fonny's mother. After understanding the difficulties that Fonny faces primarily because of his race, Tish begins to become aware that there are many people who cannot be trusted.

It should be noted, however, that while Tish becomes aware of the cruel and merciless nature of the world around her, her love and admiration for Fonny does not change. Through everything, she still sees him as courageous. When she visits him in prison to see that he had been roughed up, she comments, "He’s beautiful. They beat him up, but they didn’t beat him." Through this, it becomes clear that Tish has by no means descended into complete cynicism; she remains hopeful for Fonny and proud of him entirely—something that even the worst events cannot take away.

James Baldwin's If Beale Street Could Talk depicts the coming-of-age and first love of 19-year old Tish Rivers. Tish is in love with Fonny, a young man who's been incarcerated under false charges of rape. While Fonny awaits his trial, Tish discovers she is pregnant. She and her family pull all their resources together in order to secure for Fonny the best legal counsel they can.

Fonny's incarceration is a difficult burden for Tish. Nonetheless, her outlook on life is optimistic. Tish basically thinks the best of people and believes things will work out. This optimism comes from Tish's strong relationship with her family and community members. Living in a segregated community, Tish's daily interactions are limited to her family, neighbors, and close social networks. She feels safe within these networks, and has little interaction with the "outside" world.

However, Tish's view of the outside world turns sharply negative when she finds herself interacting with violent, racist white people in the criminal justice system. She resents that members of the justice system -- i.e. lawyers, judges, bondsmen, -- treat Fonny with a presumption of guilt. The more Tish interacts with the establishment on Fonny's behalf, the more incensed and appaled she becomes at the harsh realities of Jim Crow racism. 

Ultimately, Tish finds a progressive white lawyer to represent Fonny; one renowned  for his success as a criminal defense attorney. The lawyer is clearly sympathetic to Fonny and agrees to represent him for very little money. The novel ends on a hopeful note, as Fonny and Tish begin to anticipate Fonny's release from prison, and the birth of their child.

Tish's view of the world at the end of the novel is less naive and child-like than it was at the beginning. She maintains her hopeful optimism, but is also more deeply aware of the brutality, violence, and indignities of racial injustice in Southen Jim Crow culture. As an expecting mother, Tish carries with her the hope that her child will inhabit a safer, more just, and more peaceful world. 

To explore the changes in Tish's personality in James Baldwin's novel If Beale Street Could Talk, closely inspect the various challenges she has to confront and how they affect her disposition. Prior to the tumultuous events that uproot their lives, Tish and Fonny's relationship is one filled with ardent love and affection; their connection gives them an optimistic outlook on life. Though Tish still loves Fonny, his wrongful imprisonment eats away at the hope she once had.

Moreover, she is pregnant with Fonny's child and now has to deal with the shame associated with being an unwed mother. Tish becomes weighed down by all the burdens in her life. Think about whether these burdens crush her completely or if she is able to find solace and support.