Security in "Jazz"

page 58
Alice carried that gathering rope with her always after that day on Fifth Avenue, and found it reliably secure and tight -- most of the time. Except when men sat on windowsills fingering horns and women wondered "how long." The rope broke then, disturbing her peace, making her aware of flesh and something so free she could smell its bloodsmell.
...
I have seen her, passing a cafe or an uncurtained window when some phrase or other -- "Hit me but don't quit me" -- drifted out, and watched her reach with one hand for the safe gathering rope thrown to her eight years ago on Fifth Avenue, and ball the other one into a fist in her coat pocket. I don't know how she did it -- balance herself with two different hand gestures. But she was not alone in trying, and she was not alone in losing.

Questions:
1) The rope represents a connecting link for Alice, a way she can connect herself to everyone around her. Think about how you do this in your own life.
2) Who is the narrator?

Comments:
I especially like the second paragraph because it depicts fear without using the word. The action of balling her fist in the coat pocket (fear, tension) but trying to give off the appearance of being calm is something we have all done in an uncomfortable situation.

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