Thank You Ma'am - Langston Hughes short summary / analysis

Thank You Ma'am - Langston Hughes short summary / analysis

Hughes's short story builds around two characters, Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones and a young boy called Roger. The story begins with an encounter between Roger, a teenage boy, and Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones . Roger tries to fulfill his desire of owning a pair of blue suede shoes by attempting to steal the pocketbook that belongs to Mrs. Jones. But Roger is caught red - handed by Mrs. Jones. However, Mrs. Jones feels compassion for him and does not hand him over to the police. She finds out that the boy is hungry and offers him food. Mrs. Jones seems to feel at ease at the boy's company and tells him about her own life. She also gives him some money before bidding him good - bye. Roger is overwhelmed with emotion at the goodness and sympathy he received from her. He wants to express his gratitude earnestly, but his gratefulness gets no opportunity to bloom beyond a mere 'Thank you, Ma'am ", before she closed the door on his face. According to Hughes, Roger never sees her again.