Great question! In The Slave Dancer by Paula Fox, Stout smiles at the end of chapter three. Although this might seem like an ordinary reaction, the context illustrates that this smile represents something more.
During this chapter, Purvis is deemed a thief and consequently receives a flogging. In the book, the Captain possesses a personal storage of food, including eggs. One of the Captain's eggs is stolen. Although Purvis is innocent, he is convicted of the crime and punished.
As Jessie reveals:
“I barely slept that night. Once, I peeped out at the deck. Far above, like a huge tattered bird, its wings flapping, hung Purvis, tied to the shrouds where the wind beat against him as though animated by the same demon which had raised Nicholas Spark’s arm and brought the tarred rope down on his back.”
After this occurs, Jessie learns that Stout is the actual thief. Not only this, but Stout is actually happy that Purvis is deemed the thief and punished. Thus, Jessie’s lack of trust in Stout appears justified.
Following these events, Stout gives Jessie a piece of cheese. Despite this apparent generosity, Jessie throws the cheese away. With this, he shows his knowledge of Stout’s actions and possibly even his disapproval or his lack of trust towards Stout. Although Stout could have been upset by this response, Stout smiles. Jessie explains the actions by stating:
“Stout smiled gently as though he couldn’t blame me.”
Thus, this seemingly simple smile represents a greater concept. With this, Stout now realizes how Jessie feels about his actions. Furthermore, Stout seems to express that he understands (or at least does not blame) Jessie for his impolite gesture of throwing away the cheese.
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