What Is The Theme Of Thank You Ma Am

Starting in the short story, “Thank You, Ma’am,” by Langston Hughes, Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones is one of the protagonists. In the beginning, she almost gets her purse stolen by Roger, a kid who wanted blue suede shoes. Eventually, Mrs. Jones forgives and starts to care for Roger. Throughout the story, Mrs. Jones has done acts of honesty and honor. Therefore, I believe that that Mrs. Jones is upright all throughout the story from the beginning, middle, and end. In the light of the start of the story, Mrs. Jones is being upright in the beginning of the story. For instance, at 11 o'clock at night, Mrs. Jones was walking down the street, when Roger, a boy who wanted blue suede shoes, came up and tried to steal Mrs. Jones purse. …show more content…
Jones is upright at the middle of the story. Notably, Mrs. Jones confesses to Roger that she has “done things too” that she “would not tell you son, neither tell God.” This little detail means Mrs. Jones relates to Roger and that she was once like him, so I can infer that she doesn’t want Roger to be like her younger self. A few moments after Mrs Jones lends Roger a towel, she also lends Roger a comb to make himself look presentable. Even though it could seem like that detail is very miniature and is meaningless, it does highlight that Mrs. Jones cares inside and believes that Roger has the potential to be a gentleman. Likewise, when she went to get food, she “did not watch the boy,” and, “nor did she watch her purse, which she left behind…” I believe that this section of the story supports my claim because Mrs. Jones wants and is slowly making Roger a more responsible man. Overall, the author points out many things that make Mrs, Jones a very upright …show more content…
Jones being upright is definitely at the end of the story. For example, Jones offers Roger cocoa with sweet milk, along with lima beans, and ham. This sentence reveals Mrs. Jones’ trust for Roger even if he isn’t family or a friend of hers. Significantly, nearing in the middle of the ending section, Mrs. Jones had a conversation with Roger about her daily life. She stated that she worked in a beauty shop and what the work was like. She also “did not ask the boy anything about where he lived, or his folks, or anything else that would embarrass him.” With this in mind, some may think that Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones is full of herself and beaming with pride. She could be a braggart that is proud of serving others and having a well paid job. Although this may be true, I claim that Mrs. Jones doesn’t want to be rude to Roger, and respects him. All in all, I believe that Mrs. Jones shows that she is upright at the end of the