In the novel, Paul Bonin's role as a white authority figure is also significant. Although he takes his work seriously and performs his prescribed duties, such as inspecting the food brought into the jail and searching Jefferson's visitors, he makes an effort to break down the barriers between him and Grant and demonstrates his concern for Miss Emma. He also jokes with the prisoners and does what he can to treat them as men rather than as caged animals.
Just as Miss Emma signals Vivian's acceptance into the community of women (Chapter 9), Grant signals Paul's acceptance into the community of men by encouraging Jefferson to trust Paul. (Note that, on numerous occasions, Miss Emma refers to Paul as being "from good stock," indicating that, like Vivian, he is "quality" folk.) Jefferson accepts Grant's judgment, since he trusts Paul with his diary and offers him the radio, his most prized possession. Since Paul personally delivers the diary to Grant, we realize that Jefferson's trust has not been misplaced and that Paul genuinely values his friendship with Grant and Jefferson.
Paul's role is also significant in that it challenges the stereotype of the racist white Southern law officer. In this capacity, Paul's role is comparable to that of Gil Bouton, a character in Gaines' fifth novel, A Gathering of Old Men. Like Paul, Gil, a young white male, also demonstrates his respect and commitment to his black friend, Cal Harrison.
