The main conflict in Langston Hughes’ short story Thank You, M’am is between Roger, a young boy who attempts to steal Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones’ purse, and Mrs. Jones herself. The conflict arises when Roger tries to snatch the purse but fails, leading to a confrontation with Mrs. Jones.
Instead of turning Roger over to the police, Mrs. Jones decides to take him to her home. There, she feeds him, talks to him, and gives him money to buy the blue suede shoes he desires. This act of kindness and trust resolves the conflict, as Roger is deeply affected by Mrs. Jones’ generosity and learns a valuable lesson about trust and compassion.
Through this resolution, Hughes highlights themes of forgiveness, empathy, and the transformative power of kindness. The story suggests that understanding and compassion can lead to positive change, even in difficult situations.