Beginning—
Feeling:
Roger knows that what he did was extremely wrong and now he is frightened because he was caught stealing which is punishable by the law.
Why:
Roger steals because he has no one at home to ever tell him this is right or wrong. He doesn’t have anyone to guide him and tell once in a while: “Wash your face”.
Prove it:
And your face is dirty. I got a great mind to wash your face for you. Ain’t you got nobody home to tell you to wash your face?”
“No’m,” said the boy.
“Then it will get washed this evening,” said the large woman starting up the street, dragging the frightened boy behind her.
Middle—
Feeling:
The woman though enraged and even overwhelmed for what happened, treated the boy like a police officer. However, she in her own way tried to be also a parent to him in that short moment that Roger was with him. When she told him to wash his face in the sink, she did it with good intentions and Roger perceived that. So, Roger obeyed her and did what she told him that short time he was with her.
Why:
Roger lacks someone to guide him in the world. There is no one in his house. He’s probably alone in life. He doesn’t have a good role model that can be an example to him, etc.
Prove it:
1. “Then, Roger, you go to that sink and wash your face,” said the woman, whereupon she turned him loose—at last. Roger looked at the door—looked at the woman—looked at the door—and went to the sink.
2. “There’s nobody home at my house,” said the boy.
“Then we’ll eat,” said the woman, “I believe you’re hungry—or been hungry—to try to snatch my pockekbook.”
End—
Feeling:
From Roger not trusting her, he ended up being puzzled at the very generosity and kindness of Ms. Jones. He was out of breath, trying to speak. He wanted to say so many things to her but couldn’t. The only words that came out his lips were “Thank you”.
Why:
Its possible that Roger already learned his lesson and won’t steal anymore. After all Ms. Jones told him stories about her life and work. So, he knows when he steals a bag he is stealing someone’s hard earned money. Also, the woman’s generosity showed him that there are kind people willing to help individuals like himself.
Prove it:
1. She heated some lima beans and ham she had in the icebox, made the cocoa, and set the table. The woman did not ask the boy anything about where he lived, or his folks, or anything else that would embarrass him. Instead, as they ate, she told him about her job in a hotel beauty-shop that stayed open late, what the work was like, and how all kinds of women came in and out, blondes, red-heads, and Spanish. Then she cut him a half of her ten-cent cake.
2. The boy wanted to say something else other than “Thank you, m’am” to Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones, but he couldn’t do so as he turned at the barren stoop and looked back at the large woman in the door. He barely managed to say “Thank you” before she shut the door. And he never saw her again.
