In "Thank You, M'am" by Langston Hughes, does the plot development align with Mrs. Jones's character?

No doubt, Mrs. Jones is a believable character and consistent in her determination. She is a mother figure. She treats Roger like she would her own son. She does not put up with back talk or sass. She is a strict, disciplinarian type. She does not allow Roger to even think about ever stealing again.

The surprising developments of the plot are indeed consistent with the characterization of Mrs. Jones. Mrs. Jones is familiar with the streets. She is tough and prepared. She does not flinch. She is unwilling to give up her purse. When Roger jerks at her purse, he and the purse fall to the ground:

'The large woman simply turned around and kicked him right square in his blue jeaned sitter.'

Mrs. Jones is a fighter. She will survive. She understands what it takes to survive the streets late at night. She is tough. She is persistent. She teaches Roger a valuable lesson, one that he will never forget. Mrs. Jones purposely tests Roger by leaving her purse in his reach. She also leaves the door open. Roger can run if he so desires. Mrs. Jones has already made such a striking impression on Roger until he does not desire to disappoint her further:

Then, leaving him alone by her purse and the open door, she steps behind a screen to warm lima beans and ham on her gas plate. The boy does not run; he does not want to be mistrusted.

This fact speaks volumes about the strong, consistent character of Mrs. Jones. In only a few minutes in Roger's presence, she makes such a difference in Roger's life. He will never forget Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones. She has made a lasting impression on Roger. No doubt, he is forever changed by Mrs. Jones's integrity. Mrs. Jones's good character is consistent with the surprising plot.

What does the quote from "Thank You, M'am" reveal about Mrs. Jones?

In Thank You, M'am by Langston Hughes, the reader is immediately introduced to Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones and can form an opinion of her quite readily. The fact that her purse contains a great variety of items, except "hammer and nails" indicates that Mrs. Jones is a woman who is prepared for any eventuality. This is one of the reasons why she seems unfazed by Roger's assault on her person and his attempted theft of her purse.

Her reactions when the narrator says, "the large woman simply turned around and kicked him right-square in his blue-jeaned sitter" confirm that Mrs. Jones is not an average woman and certainly not one to be taken advantage of. From this quote, the reader can presume that she has faced this kind of circumstance before because she knows what to do to have the most impact and to ensure that Roger does not get what he came for. The fact that she takes it in her stride also indicates her matter-of-fact personality and also that she is not afraid. She acts impulsively because she has a strong sense of right and wrong and intends to ensure that this is upheld at all costs. The reader understands this very well and may even be scared himself of such an imposing character. 

What do Mrs. Jones' initial actions reveal in "Thank You, M'am"?

Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones doesn’t “play,” and the characterization of her by Langston Hughes shows this.  Mrs. Jones is a formidable woman who is large in stature with a large purse that, according to Hughes, has “everything in it but hammer and nails.” When Roger tries to steal her purse, the strap breaks, and Roger ends up on the ground.  Mrs. Jones kicks him in the rear end and picks him up by his shirt collar to face her.  When she asks Roger if he will run away if she lets him go, and he says, “yes,” Mrs. Jones drags him back to her apartment to clean him up, give him a meal, and teach him a lesson. Roger has met his match and tried to steal from the wrong person.  However, the tough exterior that Hughes suggests Mrs. Jones has is just a mask for the kind, caring person she really is.  She tries to teach Roger about doing the right thing because she made mistakes in her past as well.  Hoping Roger will turn his life around, Mrs. Jones gives him the $10.00 he wanted for a pair of blue suede shoes.  The characterization of Mrs. Jones at the beginning of the story does not match who she really is as a person, and perhaps, that was Langston Hughes’ intention or message from the very start. 

How does Mrs. Jones exhibit kindness in "Thank You, M'am"?

Mrs. Jones shows kindness in that when she tells him to go wash his face (and he chooses to), she tells him to "Let the water run until it gets warm" and offers him a clean towel. She brushes off his question about whether she's going to take him to jail (and not taking him to jail is another way she shows kindness). When she learns there's no one home at his house, she cooks him dinner, providing both food and company for him. She opens up to him and tells him that she was young once and did things she wasn't proud of, too, which is also a kindness--it means she isn't judging him. She shows trust by leaving him alone with her pocketbook while she cooks. While they eat, she doesn't ask him any questions that might embarrass him. She gives him half of her ten-cent cake then offers him more. She also gives him ten dollars to buy the blue suede shoes he wants. 

In "Thank You, M'am," what is unusual about Mrs. Jones's behavior?

When beginning to read Thank You M'am by Langston Hughes, the reader has certain expectations after reading that Mrs. Jones " kicked him right square in his blue-jeaned sitter." The reader is soon aware that Mrs. Jones will not tolerate bad behavior for any reason and she sets high standards. Accordingly, having stopped the boy and picked up her own purse, Mrs. Jones may be expected to take him straight to the police station, and the boy certainly fears just such a thing which is why he is so anxious to get away from her if possible. However, after the boy (Roger) tries to steal her purse, Mrs. Jones is more concerned about his dirty face and the fact that he looks hungry than her purse and his attempted theft.

Mrs. Jones's behavior reveals her social awareness and her propensity to consider Roger's position rather than her own. This is most unusual but Mrs. Jones's kindness does not stop at her ability to recognize Roger's vulnerability. She sets a fine example and even gives him the precious $10 he needs to buy the blue suede shoes he craves. It is particularly significant as Mrs. Jones is not a wealthy woman (as evidenced by her own circumstances) and parting with her hard-earned $10 will no doubt require sacrifice on her part. 

Mrs. Jones does not know Roger and she has no idea whether he will put her $10 to good use. She doesn't know whether he will learn his lesson but she hopes that her message is powerful enough to have a positive effect on the boy.  What is also unusual is that she makes no demands on Roger, expecting nothing in return for her kindness except to remind him to "behave."