Question

Why does Roger want to thank Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones at the end of the story?A.
Roger has grown to appreciate the faith that Mrs. Jones has in him.
B.
Roger was suspicious of Mrs. Jones at first, but she shows him that people can be trustworthy.
C.
Roger appreciates that she did not report him to the police and wants to help his family.
D.
Roger realizes that Mrs. Jones invited him to her home because she is lonely and wants his company.

Answer 1

A. Roger has grown to appreciate the faith that Mrs. Jones has in him.

Answer 2

Answer:

The best answer seems indeed to be letter A) Roger has grown to appreciate the faith Mrs. Jones has in him.

Explanation:

In Langston Hughes' "Thank You, Ma'am", Roger is a poor teenager who is neglected at home. To buy himself some new sneakers, he tries to steal Mrs. Luella Jones' purse, but it is heavier than he thought. He loses balance and falls to the floor. Mrs. Jones, who is described by the narrator as a large woman, catches him. To his surprise, she drags him to her house, forces him to wash his face and comb his hair, and then feeds him. He is even more surprised to notice that she has left her purse in the living room with him while she cooks dinner. She shows faith in him, trusting he won't be tempted to steal now that he's being taken care of.

In the end, she gives him the money he needs to buy the shoes. Her kindness touches Roger's heart. He wishes he could say more than just "thank you," but can't think of anything else that would convey his feelings. So he thanks her, and we, the readers, may assume he goes back with a different perspective for himself and his life.