Thank You M Am Langston Hughes Analysis

Thank You M’am is essentially Langston Hughes interpretation of a troubled young teen, Roger, who struggles blindly through life with no guidance by an authoritative figure. Hughes directly characterizes this young, dynamic character and portrays chronologically his transformation into model citizenship with the aid of one woman. This woman in question happens to be Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones a proud independent woman who is the static, never changing figure Roger needs to change his life. Hughes utilizes point of view, initial incident, and theme to chronologically portray, as mentioned previously, the transformation from model teen to model citizen. He also uses the two characters to characterize themselves and each other. The
Mrs. Jones seals the trust bond with Roger when she begins to speak of her past. She levels with Roger and does not speak as if she is above him but as if she used to be like him. Mrs. Jones tells Roger that she wanted things that she could not get as well and Roger waits for a contradiction that will reprimand and condemn him for his action but the contradiction never comes. Instead, as if reading Roger’s mind she tells of how she has done terrible deeds just like him and how everyone makes mistakes. Mrs. Jones ends the conversation by stating that “everybody’s got something in common” and suggesting he comb his hair while she fixes the two them something to eat. No condemning or reprimanding happens within this statement. Instead she states that everyone makes mistakes, which in turn lessens Roger’s guilt for his actions. Mrs. Jones almost seems to be telling Roger that the past is in the past and he needs to let go so that he can change and become better than the thieving, young male he was previously. She begins to make the meal and does not watch Roger or her purse because she trusts him. Now, Roger’s time has come for him to prove to Mrs. Jones and himself that her kindness was not in vain and he passes by having an epiphany within himself. He would like Mrs. Jones to trust him and he would also like for her to trust her. Afterwards he asks if she would like for someone to go to the grocery for her as if needing to further to earn her trust. She tells him she does not and the both of them sit down for a meal with her discussing her past. Mrs. Jones, continuing on her philosophy of keeping the past in the past does not ask Roger about his