There's a very similar metaphor in Roger's Version (1886), where the all-white hero is visiting the all-black projects, and ascends the stairs in the scary building as two black young guys descend; instead of mugging him as he fears, they harmlessly pass him on either side, and Updike compares the sensation to a driver who thinks he's about to collide with a truck that turns out to be two motorcycles.
Posted by
Tim Appelo, City Arts Magazine on January 31, 2009 at 10:38 PM
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