Roger and Mrs. Jones

Author Note: This is a Character Analysis of Mrs. Jones and Roger in the story “Thank You Ma’am” by Langstin Hughes

Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones was a truth telling no nonsense woman who didn’t take anything from anybody. She knew right from wrong and good from bad and she could teach anyone the difference between them. In the story Yes Ma’am she was able to teach Roger a no good purse stealing hoodlum kid what was good and bad. Roger had tried to steal Mrs. Jones’s purse but she was able to knock him down and take him home. She knew right away what she was going to do, teach this kid a lesson on what the mistakes he had made trying to take something of hers so he could get something for him.

Roger grew up from a home where they had no food and his parents never taught him what he should and shouldn’t do. When he tried to steal Mrs. Jones’s bag he thought he was doing good so he could get the necessities that his family lacked at home. But Roger didn’t know who he was messing with the purse broke and Mrs. Jones knocked him on his back picked him up and started asking "What did you want to do it for?" Roger could only reply with what they both knew was a lie. He then was brought to by Mrs. Jones house which there he was taught good from bad for the first time.

    In conclusion Roger learned a lot of lessons that will make him a better kid. Mrs. Jones probably went through the same thing that Roger did and that is why I think that Mrs. Jones was teaching from experience rather that common sense. That is why I think that Mrs. Jones was able to teach Roger because she went through the same thing.