The narrator's initial reaction upon meeting the character is one of surprise and confusion. He reflects on the stark differences between his expectations of both Americans and Jews based on cultural stereotypes. Rather than seeing a typical representation of these identities, he finds a man who is short, bespectacled, and unremarkable in appearance, which creates a sense of disappointment for him. This encounter challenges his preconceived notions and highlights the disconnect between image and reality.

The narrator's observations emphasize the uniqueness of the individual he meets, contrasting sharply with the idealized figures he had previously imagined. Instead of the muscular, blonde Americans or the typical Jewish figures from history, the man embodies an utterly different reality. This scene captures the theme of identity and the complexities of how it is perceived versus how it actually exists, leading to a deeper exploration of self and other in the narrative.