By the end of the poem, the speaker realizes that the man he thought was a villain is, in fact, a genuinely good person. The transformation in the speaker's perception is brought about through instances such as the villain defending a weak person, showing kindness to a child, and refusing to take advantage of a vulnerable woman.
The poem effectively challenges preconceived notions and prejudice by revealing the true nature of a person beyond the negative label society has placed upon them. Through this exploration, the poem encourages readers to be open-minded and cautious when forming judgments about individuals based solely on their reputation.