Themes: Family and Community
Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones and Roger are initially depicted as opposites. While Mrs. Luella is a large, older, hardworking woman, Roger is young, frail, and irresponsible. Yet it's essential to recognize the ways their two lives intersect. Both are walking alone at night when most people would be at home. Roger doesn't have anyone looking out for him, and the number of surnames suggests that Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones has been married at least twice but is now seemingly living alone. Additionally, they both share a history of poor choices.
Mrs. Jones does not further elicit the young boy's shame regarding his home life when he sits down to dinner. Instead, she offers a welcoming atmosphere and tries to step in as his temporary guardian.
The older woman offers guidance that Roger should make himself more presentable by cleaning himself up and sharing her meager resources to offer him a warm meal. Her actions are maternal, filling a void in the young boy's life, even for one brief evening.
Being accepted as family is transformational to Roger's outlook. Instead of wanting to steal from this older woman, he wants to please her and earn her trust. The sense of home elicits an entirely new perspective, leaving Roger deeply thankful for Mrs. Jones's guidance. This unlikely, albeit temporary, relationship indicates that family and community can be created and chosen and are not definite constructs based on biology and inheritance.
Roger leaves this temporary home as a better person than before he met Mrs. Jones. The ending suggests that having a sense of family and a place to belong has allowed Roger to develop into a man who can positively contribute to his community. Supportive and healthy families, however constructed, are therefore demonstrated to be the cornerstone of secure and benevolent communities.
Expert Q&A
What can be inferred about Roger's parents in "Thank You, M'am"?
Roger's parents are absent during his encounter with Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones, suggesting they might be working, leaving him unsupervised. Despite their absence, Roger's respectful language and manners indicate they have taught him civility. His compliance with Mrs. Jones's instructions and gratitude for her kindness imply that his family, though likely financially disadvantaged, has instilled good values in him, and they would likely be ashamed of his attempt to steal.
In "Thank You, M'am," what does Mrs. Jones mean by "Everybody’s got something in common"?
When Mrs. Jones says, “Everybody’s got something in common,” she means that, like Roger, she has done bad things to get what she wanted.
How does Mrs. Jones in "Thank You, M'am" demonstrate "it takes a village to raise a child"?
Mrs. Jones in "Thank You, M'am" exemplifies "it takes a village to raise a child" by taking on a nurturing role for Roger, a neglected boy who attempts to steal her purse. Instead of punishing him, she invites him to her home, feeds him, and shows trust and kindness. Her actions embody community responsibility in child-rearing, influencing Roger to reconsider his choices and suggesting a positive change in his life due to her intervention.
In "Thank You, M'am," why does Luella share details about her life with Roger?
Luella shares details about her life with Roger to build trust and relate to him, recognizing a similarity between them. By revealing her own past mistakes, she aims to make Roger comfortable and deliver a memorable lesson without overwhelming him. This approach helps Roger feel at ease and encourages him to reflect on his actions, hopefully inspiring him to become a better person.
How does Mrs. Jones show tough love to Roger in "Thank You, M'am"?
Mrs. Jones shows tough love to Roger by physically restraining him after his attempted theft, shaking him, and dragging him home. She demonstrates moral courage by not involving the police and instead taking responsibility for him. At her home, she trusts him, treating him kindly yet firmly, which forces Roger to reflect on his actions and character. Her actions, combining physical strength and compassion, teach him a lesson in responsibility and morality.
Mrs. Jones's Character and the Theme in "Thank You, M'am"
Mrs. Jones's character in "Thank You, M'am" embodies kindness and understanding. She teaches Roger a lesson in trust and compassion by not only forgiving him but also helping him, highlighting the theme of empathy and redemption. Her actions demonstrate that positive influence and care can lead to personal growth and change.
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