"On the subway" puts into perspective the contrast between the lives of people of different races. The author, Sharon Olds, develops both characters by vividly describing each character and using analogies to emphasize the contrast between them. As a result of the collision of the two the narrator gains insight into how different people really are. When developing each character, Olds' most useful aids were his detailed descriptions. She describes the person opposite the narrator as a frightening stranger. Every thing about the stranger, from his red clothing to his facial expressions intimidated the narrator. On the contrary the narrator is described as someone of wealth. Her fur coat and briefcase make it clear that she is better off