Thank You M Am Langston Hughes Analysis
In Langston Hughes short story “Thank you M’am” Hughes uses stealing as a topic for a way to express having dignity in yourself, even when the cards are not dealt in your favor.
A young boy tries to steal a large women’s purse, but does not get away with it. Instead the boy fell on his back and got kicked right square in his blue-jeaned sitter. The large lady hauls him to her house to wash his face. She wants him to remember Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones. She brings him to her one room apartment where she lets him go. He does not run away.
Mrs. Bates does not judge the boy. Instead, she feeds him and wants him to look presentable. The boy started washing his face. He was scared she was going to take him to jail. She says she isn’t going
to take him anywhere with that face, trying to keep him comfortable. Mrs. Jones explains to the boy that she too has done things she’s not proud of.
The women did not pay attention to see if the boy was going to run. She also left her purse on the day bed, which she was not watching. He did now want to be mistrusted now. The women did not ask him any personal questions or anything that would embarrass him. They ate dinner together, she gave him 10 dollars, and hopes he never latches onto another pocket book. The boy thanked her as she went to bed. They never saw each other again.
A young boy tries to steal a large women’s purse, but does not get away with it. Instead the boy fell on his back and got kicked right square in his blue-jeaned sitter. The large lady hauls him to her house to wash his face. She wants him to remember Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones. She brings him to her one room apartment where she lets him go. He does not run away.
Mrs. Bates does not judge the boy. Instead, she feeds him and wants him to look presentable. The boy started washing his face. He was scared she was going to take him to jail. She says she isn’t going
to take him anywhere with that face, trying to keep him comfortable. Mrs. Jones explains to the boy that she too has done things she’s not proud of.
The women did not pay attention to see if the boy was going to run. She also left her purse on the day bed, which she was not watching. He did now want to be mistrusted now. The women did not ask him any personal questions or anything that would embarrass him. They ate dinner together, she gave him 10 dollars, and hopes he never latches onto another pocket book. The boy thanked her as she went to bed. They never saw each other again.