diff --git a/lib/assert_json/assert_json.rb b/lib/assert_json/assert_json.rb
index 1831d7e..4ddeeaf 100644
--- a/lib/assert_json/assert_json.rb
+++ b/lib/assert_json/assert_json.rb
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ def only?
   # nodoc
   class Json
     def initialize(json_string)
-      @decoded_json = ActiveSupport::JSON.decode(json_string)
+      @decoded_json = @root = ActiveSupport::JSON.decode(json_string)
       @expected_keys = []
       @only = false
     end
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ def item(index)
       decoded_json_in_scope = @decoded_json
       @decoded_json = @decoded_json[index]
       begin
-        yield if block_given?
+        yield @decoded_json if block_given?
         test_for_unexpected_keys(index)
       ensure
         @decoded_json = decoded_json_in_scope
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ def element(*args)
                         else
                           token
                         end
-        yield
+        yield @decoded_json
         test_for_unexpected_keys(arg)
       ensure
         @expected_keys = expected_keys_in_scope
@@ -152,6 +152,10 @@ def test_for_unexpected_keys(name = 'root')
       raise_error("element #{name} has unexpected keys: #{unexpected_keys.join(', ')}")
     end
 
+    def [](key)
+      @root[key]
+    end
+
     private
 
     def raise_error(message)