Thank You Ma Am Character Traits

In Langston Hughes’ short story Thank You Ma’am, the main character Luella is filled with kindness. Luella is a strong, independent woman who normally doesn't take any nonsense. Until a teenage boy named Roger ran into her while trying to steal her pocketbook. When Luella saw him she immediately starts treating him with kindness. Luella is caring because she gave Roger a chance, she took Roger in, and made an effort to make a difference in Roger’s life.
Luella is caring because she gave Roger a chance. Luella dragged the boy into her house and told him to wash his face. She wanted to give Roger a chance to earn her trust so she let him go. “Roger looked at the door-looked at the woman-and went to the sink” (Page 2). This shows Luella is giving Roger a chance because she left the door open. It is important to notice how Roger went to the sink. I think that Luella left to door open to show Roger that she trusted him. This is significant because Role ger didn't want to break Luella’s trust.
Luella is caring because she took Roger in. After Roger washed
After Luella and Roger finished their conversation about Luella’s job (and cake). Luella got up and gave Roger ten dollars for a pair of blue suede shoes. As she gave him the money she told him, “And next time do not make the same mistake of latching on to my pocketbook nor nobody else's- because shoes come by devilish like that will burn your feet” (Page 3). Then she led him down the hall, opened the door and let him go. Once Roger left Luella closed the door and Roger never saw her again.
In Thank You Ma’am we watch as Luella shows care to a young boy in need. Luella is so caring that she always gives people a shot, lends a helping hand, and she tries to make a difference in others’ lives. This story is a great example of how a little bit of kindness can go a mile. We can all learn from Luella to go the extra mile to make someone’s