They had no hope of anything more, no comprehension that there might be anything more. In a sense they were an autonomous body, functioning within a society which was organized to grind them down. The law did not protect them; for them it was merely an instrument of harassment, a means of moving them on when it was against their interest to move, or detaining them where it was to their disadvantage to stay.
The quote reflects a bleak reality faced by individuals who exist within a societal structure designed to oppress them. Lacking hope or understanding of a better life, they navigate a system that seems to exist solely to undermine their existence. Their autonomy is an illusion, as they are constantly subjected to forces that grind them down rather than uplift them.
Moreover, the law serves as a tool of harassment rather than protection. For these individuals, legal structures do not provide safety or justice. Instead, laws are manipulated against them, compelling them to leave when it is unwise or trapping them in circumstances that make their situation worse. This highlights the harsh realities of those marginalized in society and the systemic issues that contribute to their plight.
