This is seen where Baldwin describes how he reacted when he realized he was not present in certain places that were considered white places. His response was to want to go to all these places where he knew he was unwelcome. This seems to be Baldwin's way of getting back at the society that has rejected him. Most importantly, this is not something that Baldwin does to try to get society to accept him. Instead, it is more like he is reacting in defiance because it is not a situation he cannot control. In this way, Baldwin is partly responding as a person who has realized he has no power in society. The white people have determined the role for the black person and they have made the decisions that keep Baldwin an outsider. Baldwin becomes powerless and cannot change these rules. The only way he can react is to break the rules in an act of defiance. These actions by Baldwin also show the first stages of his anger. As Baldwin's initial defiance gives way to anger, he describes it as a disease saying that once anger is contracted "one can never be really carefree again, for the fever, without an instant's warning, can recur at any moment" (Baldwin 57). This anger is also partially caused by Baldwin's lack of power, since it seems that there is nothing he can do to change the situation for himself. He feels wronged by society, but unlike most problems, there is not action he can take to right the situation. The anger he feels builds until it reaches breaking point. This is clearly shown in the situation in the restaurant, where Baldwin suddenly focuses his anger on the white waitress. Baldwin describes himself thinking that "if she found a black man so frightening I would make her fright worth-while" (Baldwin 58). This is an example of Baldwin transferring his anger towards white society and placing it on one person. In short, the white waitress represents white society and thinking about hurting her is Baldwin's way of thinking about getting back at the society that seems to hate him.