would burn his feet. In other words, she warns that no crime goes unpunished. Roger would be setting himself up for negative consequences if he were to succeed in getting the coveted shoes by dishonest means.

Suddenly the symbolic meaning of the shoes changes, however, when Luella hands Roger some cash and tells him to go buy himself the shoes. He is dumbfounded by her generosity, especially in light of the fact that he had tried to rob her. He can barely utter a word of thanks before she bids him good night and shuts the door. Now the shoes represent Luella's grace; she has shown mercy, compassion, and a strict sort of love for the boy who was a perfect stranger to her before this night. If Roger indeed uses the money to go buy the blue suede shoes, he will surely be forced to remember Luella's example of grace every time he puts them onto his feet. If he follows her lead as he grows up, he may one day become an adult who is in a position to shepherd young people back onto the straight and narrow path.