"Thank You, Ma'am" is a short story written by Langston Hughes that tells the story of a young boy named Roger who tries to steal a purse from a woman named Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones. However, Mrs. Jones is able to catch Roger and instead of turning him over to the police, she decides to take him home and teach him a lesson about kindness and respect.
The story takes place in a urban setting and Hughes uses vivid descriptions to paint a picture of the bustling city streets and the run-down neighborhood where Mrs. Jones and Roger live. The story is narrated in third person and follows the events that unfold after Roger tries to steal Mrs. Jones' purse.
Mrs. Jones is a large, formidable woman with "broad feet" and a "strong back," qualities that she uses to her advantage when she confronts Roger. Despite being the victim of a crime, Mrs. Jones shows compassion and understanding towards Roger, recognizing that he is just a misguided and troubled young boy.
After taking Roger home, Mrs. Jones feeds him a meal and listens to his story, learning that he has no home and no one to take care of him. She decides to take him under her wing and offers him a place to stay, saying "I got a spare room and you can have it."
Throughout the story, Mrs. Jones serves as a maternal figure for Roger, showing him love and guidance when he has nowhere else to turn. She teaches him about the importance of hard work and respect, saying "I don't want no trouble out of you. I worked hard all my life and I don't have to take nothin' off of nobody."
In the end, Mrs. Jones' kindness and understanding transforms Roger's life, and he leaves her home with a newfound sense of respect and appreciation for the things he has in life. Hughes' use of vivid imagery and descriptive language helps to convey the powerful message of the story, which is that even in the face of adversity, kindness and understanding can go a long way towards helping others.
Overall, "Thank You, Ma'am" is a powerful and poignant story that highlights the importance of compassion and understanding in our relationships with others. Hughes' use of descriptive language and vivid imagery helps to bring the characters and the setting to life, and the themes of kindness and understanding resonate with readers of all ages.