Lesson Summary

The text discusses the character of Mrs. Jones and her actions in the story "Thank You, M'am" by Langston Hughes. It highlights her street-smart nature, as well as her caring and motherly behavior towards Roger, the boy who tried to steal her purse.

The story explores themes of compassion and forgiveness. Despite Roger's attempted theft, Mrs. Jones does not turn him in to the police but instead takes him to her home. She wants Roger to learn a lesson and teaches him about her own past mistakes.

• The story is set in a nameless street at night and in a kitchenette-furnished room.
• The main characters are Roger, a teenage street urchin and thief, and Mrs. Luella Bates Washington, a large woman who works in a hotel beauty shop.
• Roger is a thief who tries to snatch Mrs. Jones's bag but fails. He is also shown to be truthful and tries to earn Mrs. Jones's trust.
• Mrs. Jones is described as feisty and violent, as shown by her actions of kicking Roger and shaking him.

In addition to the characters and themes, the text examines the use of point of view, tone, mood, and language in the story. It also mentions the presence of imagery, stylistic devices, and conflicts.

The story ends with Mrs. Jones giving Roger money and telling him to behave himself. Roger is overwhelmed with gratitude but is unable to express it, and Mrs. Jones quickly shuts the door after he leaves.

• The overall emotion of the ending is one of heartfelt gratitude and a sense of closure.
• The author makes the interaction between Mrs. Jones and Roger memorable by portraying Mrs. Jones as both tough and compassionate. Her actions of taking Roger to her home and teaching him a lesson leave a lasting impact on the reader.

The story "Thank You, M'am" by Langston Hughes emphasizes the importance of compassion, forgiveness, and learning from past mistakes. It showcases the character of Mrs. Jones and her transformational impact on Roger's life.