The townspeople’s inconsistent reactions to Hightower’s plight show how fickle they are. They may occasionally feel moments of sympathy, but these never last long, and always end up in an attempt to punish Hightower for his perceived transgressions. Of course, it is important to note that the “masked men” (KKK) did not care about the wellbeing of the cook, but rather about strictly enforcing segregation.