In this story, the author reveals many things about Mrs. Jones, first, we know that she has experience with street people, and is aware of the want that sometimes drives their desperate acts.
Langston Hughes writes in a style that tells the reader that the character is an African American woman. She works late, and is not afraid of people on the street. She confronts her thief and instead of punishing him, she treats him to food, comfort and gives him money to buy his desired blue suede shoes.
Mrs. Jones does not judge the actions of others, she is a generous, kind and giving person, someone who knows right from wrong, but is not self-righteous.
"Pick up my pocketbook, boy, and give it here." She still held him. But she bent down enough to permit him to stoop and pick up her purse. Then she said, "Now ain’t you ashamed of yourself?" (Hughes)
She knows right from wrong, but she also can recognize need.
"Not with that face, I would not take you nowhere," said the woman. "Here I am trying to get home to cook me a bite to eat and you snatch my pocketbook! Maybe, you ain’t been to your supper either, late as it be. Have you?" (Hughes)
She immediately wants to look after the boy, someone who has tried to rob her. She represents the message of Christianity by doing for the least of my brothers, as Christ told his followers, without a desire for anything in return.
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