Robbie’s boots symbolize his coming-of-age journey, as well as his attempt to liberate himself from the racist violence of Gracetown and the Reformatory. Robbie receives his boots from his father in the first chapter of the novel, though he complains that they are too big for him to wear. He does not realize that his older sister, Gloria, has deliberately ordered him a larger pair so that he can grow into the boots. Robbie, struggling to fit into his new boots, wears them anyway on his way to school. When Lyle McCormack harasses his sister, Robbie kicks Lyle with the boots. This act signifies that his growth is inevitably tied to the events surrounding his incarceration at the Reformatory. Robbie is literally not mature enough to fit into his own shoes, but his experience will allow him to grow against the violence that previously caused his father to flee Gracetown.

When Robbie arrives at the Reformatory, Boone takes the rest of Robbie’s soiled clothes to burn them. The boots are the only connection to his father and his life outside the prison. As a result, he hides the boots in his locker because he fears that one of the other boys might try to steal such fine shoes from him.