It's significant that Mathu chooses to ride back in Clatoo's truck with the other black men instead of accepting Candy's offer of a lift back to the quarters. This is an expression of Mathu's growing racial consciousness and sense of solidarity with his fellow black man. In their lengthy stand-off with the official—and unofficial—forces of white power, Mathu and the other men have at long last learned to stand tall, no longer feeling that they must bow down before the white man at every opportunity.

The men have taken a brave stand and emerged from their struggle stronger and wiser than before. They've developed an unbreakable sense of camaraderie that will bind them close together for the rest of their lives. As the men can now stand on their own two feet, they have no further need of the kind of well-meaning assistance offered by sympathetic white folk such as Candy. Hence the great significance in Mathu's turning down her offer of a lift.