Over the course of the story, Robin encounters devilish characters and chaotic behavior. As Robin reaches the heights of his frustrations, he rests on a church’s steps. Upon looking through its Gothic window, a lone moonbeam falls perfectly upon an opened Bible. This Bible is a sign to Robin that there is indeed godliness in the city. This soon manifests in the arrival of the kind stranger, whose appearance on the church grounds implies he is a guardian angel. The Bible suggests to Robin that he can be guided by a holy hand as he navigates the chaos of his new life in the city.

A cudgel is a type of club that is used as a weapon. Cudgels are sometimes fitted with spikes or stones to make them more brutal. Throughout the story, Robin carries an oak cudgel, though he never beats anyone with it. The cudgel represents his ability to demonstrate restraint during times of frustration and confrontation.

At the inn, the innkeeper treats him disrespectfully and Robin reaches for his cudgel but manages to calm down and leave the premises without further incident. Out on the street, Robin’s hunger becomes unbearable, and he considers attacking a stranger with his cudgel so that they will show him the way to his kinsman’s residence, and he can obtain a meal.