Thank You, M Am, By Langston Hughes

It is estimated that 1000 purses and wallets are stolen every two minutes. Most victims are likely to hand their wallet to the perpetrator and then run away crying, but “Thank You, M’am” by Langston Hughes describes a situation where a young man named Roger attempts to steal Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones’s pocketbook as she walks home from work, and Roger ends up getting more than he bargained for. In this story, Roger is portrayed as a frail teenager who is desperate for money, and Mrs. Jones is portrayed as a strong woman who knows what she’s doing. While differences between Roger and Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones are noticeable, the similarities are also quite salient.
Some differences may include the fact that Roger is small and frail, while Mrs. Jones is of a larger build. The short story explains, “[Mrs. Jones] was a large woman with a large purse that had everything in it but hammer and nails” (Hughes 1). It is also an explanation for why Roger falls when attempting to steal her purse instead of scrambling away. Another difference includes how Roger steals for what he wants, while Mrs. Jones works for what she wants. Mrs. Jones has a home, food, and is most likely financially stable. “She
Jones and Roger have done things they have regretted. Towards the end of the story, it is evident that Roger regrets stealing from Mrs. Jones, as she treated him with such kindness. However, earlier in the story, Mrs. Jones explains that she did things she regretted. “I have done things, too, which I would not tell you, son - neither tell God, if he didn’t already know” (Hughes 36). The two did bad deeds because they likely suffer from rough childhoods. In the story, Mrs. Jones asks Roger if he has anyone at home that supports him. “‘Um-hum! And your face is dirty. I got a great mind to wash your face for you. Ain’t you got nobody home to tell you to wash your face?’ ‘No’m,’ said the boy” (Hughes 12). It is assumed that Roger may be