Blue Suede Shoes Symbol Analysis

Roger explains his attempted theft as being fueled not by hunger or homelessness, but rather by his desire to buy a pair of blue suede shoes. These shoes represent prosperity and indulgence, and are the kind of luxury goods that someone in Roger’s situation could never afford on his own. The shoes are the forbidden fruit for Roger, and he is so tempted by the thought of owning such fine, smart shoes—and, likely, by the respect that wearing such shoes might entail—that he is willing to commit a crime.

Notably, the story seems to sympathize rather than condemn this temptation. Rather ironically, Roger’s desire to steal in the name of obtaining for fancy shoes—as opposed to more practical concerns like food or shelter—adds nuance to the story’s depiction of poverty. People in Roger’s situation are human beings like anyone else, the story insists, and desire items that go beyond fulfilling their basic needs. What’s more, Roger clearly dreams of being the kind of person who owns fine shoes; this suggests he is ashamed of his dirty, disheveled appearance and wishes to be treated as something more than just another poor street kid. The shoes thus represent the possibility of being seen as a full person—that is, as more than his poverty.

The problem is the shortcut he decides to take in order to achieve his goals. Rather than working hard to earn money for the shoes (though doing so much be extremely difficult for someone in his financial circumstances), he resorts to “devilish means.” Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones warns Roger away from such action in the future, but quickly transforms the symbol of the shoes with her final financial gift to the boy. She freely offers him the money for the shoes, establishing her confidence in Roger to make good use of her investment in him. This grants Roger agency and freedom to make better choices, and thus may allow him to become worthy of the shoes he so desires.