At its core, “Thank You, M’am” is about the power of empathy to transform people’s lives. In the most basic sense, this dynamic plays out in Mrs. Jones’s decision to forgive rather than punish Roger; by recognizing and sympathizing with the impulses that led him to try to steal her purse, Mrs. Jones decides not to report him but to give him the money to buy the shoes he wants. Given what the shoes represent—a lifestyle characterized by something beyond mere necessity—this is significant in and of itself.

With that said, Mrs. Jones’s empathy runs deeper than simple kindness or charity. For a start, there is a strongly maternal element to it: When she learns that Roger has no one at home to look after him, Mrs. Jones indicates that she’d like to step into the role of a parent, saying, “You ought to be my son. I would teach you right from wrong. Least I can do right now is to wash your face” (Paragraph 17). However, this remark also illustrates the relationship between care and moral character, as Mrs. Jones associates showing kindness or concern for someone (washing their face) with teaching them right from wrong.