The passage reflects a complex relationship between the narrator and another character, highlighting how appearances can shape perceptions. The woman’s unsmiling face suggests a disapproval that isn’t directed personally at the narrator but rather at the red dress, symbolizing rebellion or defiance in their society. This dress represents a challenge to the norms and restrictions imposed on women.

Moreover, the frown signifies a fear of contamination, not just in a physical sense but also in the moral and social implications of wearing such a garment. The narrator feels the weight of judgment and the implications of her clothing, which signifies a larger societal theme of fear and conformity in the oppressive world they inhabit.