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Anna Smagacz
Queen Curmano
Honors L.A Per. 7
26 October 2015
Empowerment of Compassion
Descriptive. Interesting. Worth reading. Langston Hughes offers a well developed short
story about adolescence lessons. Would you care for one who has attempted to steal your purse?
Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones did the unexpected and lead the boy into her home as she
developed a protagonist role. Meanwhile Hughes leads the story into great resolution after setting
a difficult theme. Finally the reader becomes proud as the storys hardships get resolved with
generational similarities. The short story Thank You M am by Langston Hughes reflects
round, dynamic characters, conflict and resolution, and cultural experience to tell a story about
empowerment, compassion, and understanding of adolescence through generations.
Conflict and resolution occur in the short story by Thank You Mam by Langston
Hughes when two characters struggle through an advancing problem with kindness. The boy
ran up behind her and snatched her purse (Hughes 121). A young poor boy caused conflict
while a woman creates resolution by helping the boy out. Roger, the boy, snathed Mrs. Joness
purse because he was in a state of conflict himself. Throughout the story He did not trust her
and the women did not trust him (124). The boy set himself up for trouble and distrust. Mrs.
Jones takes it as an opportunity to help the boy resolve his distrust. The woman demands kindly
Take this ten dollars and go buy yourself some blue suede shoes (124). Mrs. Joness guidance
is a crucial factor of the story. She helps the boy become aware of his actions in a thoughtful way

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that resolves the story that originally had much conflict. Thank You Mam is a story that
resolves conflict in a creative, kind way to make up for a much needed resolution.
The setting of the story contributes to the theme by two characters develop a sense of
generational similarities. Coming from a poor background, both had similar thoughts, I wanted
things I could not get (124). Mrs. Jones and Roger spend time together while the woman
explains that in her generation money did not come easily either. Both have something in
common when it comes to money in their culture. I wanted a pair of blue suede shoes the boy
confesses (122). The woman goes on to scold the stranger by explaining he did not have to steal
her purse for shoes. Mrs. Jones had a similar background; she teaches Roger being poor is tough
but you dont have to harm others for what is wanted. Mrs. Jones told him about her job at the
hotel beauty shop (124). The lady is cognizant of the boys struggles while she goes on to
explain she works for her money. Both characters were given a similar struggle. The story by
Langston Hughes takes place in a time of struggle for two characters sharing generational
similarities.
This short, intriguing story establishes a round character advising a rather flat character
learning the lessons of adolescents. Mrs. Jones wishes not to let the boy go freely after he steals
her purse, but to teach him a lesson, You put yourself in contact with me ( Hughes 122). Mrs.
Jones is developing into a round character as she explains the way the boy approached her. The
boy is becoming aware of his mistakes as he is learning lessons that should be discussed with
youth. The woman ordered, You go to the sink and wash your face (122). Mrs. Jones hosts the
boy and becomes a protagonist as she is generously suggesting the boy help himself to her home.
Meanwhile she is becoming more dynamic as she shows her compassion by having the boy clean
himself up and eat. The heavy woman suggests, I wish you would behave yourself (124). The

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young boy is developing manners as Mrs. Jones supports him. The boy stays rather flat
throughout the story while she takes the lead of an older figure. This story by Langston Hughes
reflects on compassion as a round woman takes leadership to teach a young learning, flat
character right from wrong.
This worthwhile, short story offers lessons of hard work and compassion. Thank You
Mam is a well written, descriptive story building two great characters to potential within
generational hardships. Thank You Mam is a one-of-a kind story about two developing roles
with dynamic personalities, conflict being resolved with creative resolution, and compassion
through generations with a cultural empowerment.

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Works Cited
Fitzgerald, Terence J., Carroll Moulton, and Sari Wilson. "Thank You Ma'm."Elements of
Literature: Third Course. Austin, Tx: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 2003. 120-24. Print.