Two things to notice here. First, it’s suggested that Robert’s presence as a large, intimidating black man is what scares off the other student, reinforcing some of Robert’s claims about the prejudicial culture at Yale. Second, Robert and Jeff seem to have gotten more comfortable opening up to one another—and yet it is Jeff who opens up to Robert, not the other way around. Jeff still knows remarkably little about his roommate’s feelings, ambitions, and background.