This interaction proves that listening to Baretski talk about his private life has given Lale the ability to speak to the man in a way that wouldn’t otherwise be tolerated. Although Lale nearly crosses the line by suggesting that Baretski’s girlfriend might not actually like him, Lale manages to escape Baretski’s wrath. This is because Baretski has come to respect Lale in a certain way, since Lale has let him talk and has offered him advice about women. In turn, readers see the significance of human connection, as Lale completely changes the dynamic of a prisoner-guard relationship simply by letting Baretski unload his personal insecurities.