Earlier in the novel, characters such as Cassim and Morris have looked at Tsotsi and immediately identified him as a stereotype, a “gangster.” By contrast, Miriam looks at him and sees “just another young man.” This contrast illustrates Miriam’s disconnection from the social world, yet it may also foreshadow Miriam seeing Tsotsi more clearly as an individual than other characters have been able to do. Nevertheless, this passage does show Tsotsi falling back on his old, violent habits. Rather than asking for Miriam’s help, he coerces her, threatening her child and accidentally making her believe he plans to rape her.