Thank You M'am (Short story by Langston Hughes) Summary

Langston Hughes was a 20th century American writer, best known as the leader of the Harlem Renaissance. James Mercer Langston Hughes was born in 1901 in Missouri. Thank You M’am is a short story about forgiveness and compassion.

The story begins with Roger, a teenager of 14 or 15 years, snatching the purse of Mrs Luella Bates Washington Jones. Mrs Jones is portrayed as a tough and brave woman who walks home at 11 o’clock in the night. Roger is a naive, adolescent boy who tries to steal Mrs Jones’ purse because he wants to buy a pair of blue suede shoes.

Mrs Jones, instead of punishing the boy, drags him to her home and makes him wash his dirty face. She pities Roger as there is no one to take care of him. Roger feels scared that Mrs Jones might take him to the police. So initially, he keeps looking for an opportunity to escape from the house.

Mrs Jones does not ask any personal questions to embarrass Roger. Instead, she tells about her young stage when she could not afford what she had wanted. She also had committed unspoken crimes during her youth and she advises him not to do the same.

When Roger realises that Mrs Jones is not punishing him, he stays back and makes sure not to break her trust. Mrs Jones goes to the kitchen to prepare some food for them. She no longer watches Roger, despite leaving the purse near him. They both trust one another due to the forgiveness and compassion shown by Mrs Jones. Then, Mrs Jones and Roger have supper. When it is time for him to leave, she asks him to behave well. She also gives him a $10 bill to buy the blue suede shoes that he wanted. Thus, this story shows the importance of trust, forgiveness and compassion.

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