Thank You Ma Am Theme Essay

The short story Thank You Ma’am by Langston Hughes, has several themes like sympathy, greed, honesty, guilt, second chances and the importance of child care. This short story begins with an encounter between a boy named Roger and a woman named Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones. As Mrs. Jones was walking home late one night from work, Roger tried stealing her purse but since it was heavy, he couldn’t snatch it right away and ends up breaking the strap. This represents the theme, greed. Greed is a selfish need for something and in this story, Roger was greedy for money. She got mad and kicked Roger to make him fall. When she picked him up by his shirt and asked if he would run away if she lets go of his shirt, Roger said the truth and said
The theme, sympathy is shown through Mrs. Jones actions. She felt shame for Roger when she saw his dirty face and when he briefly explained that he had no one at home. She knew that Roger grabbed her purse with the meaning of stealing money from her and she could’ve called the cops but instead she took him home and made him dinner. This displays the theme of second chances because Mrs. John decided to give Roger another chance realizing that his poverty and no one being at home caused him to make this decision. Mrs. Jones forgive Roger for his actions. Before having dinner, Roger admitted that he tried stealing money from her since he wanted a new pair of blue suede shoes.The theme, honesty is brought up once again as Roger decided to tell Mrs. John the reason why he attempted theft. Mrs. Jones told him by saying that she was once young too and there were things that she wanted but couldn’t get. After dinner, she gave him $10 dollars to buy the shoes he wanted. As Roger was leaving her home, he felt guilty for trying to steal money from a kind lady. He realized his mistake and tried to say “Thank You” to Mrs.Johns, he couldn’t because he believed that saying “Thank You” won't be