The Woman / Mrs. Jones

Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones is a large woman who carries around a very heavy purse. One night, a boy tries to steal her purse and she ends up dragging him back to her house, cleaning him up, feeding him, and giving him money. Mrs. Jones is abrasive and fierce, criticizing the boy for his appearance and threatening to teach him the difference between right and wrong. At first, it seems as though Mrs. Jones might punish the boy or call the police, but instead she offers him a bath, food, and money. Mrs. Jones provides comic relief to the story in her ability to defy the stereotype of a victim getting robbed. She also exudes kindness, generosity, and maternal care for the boy despite her harsh way of speaking. The store suggests that Mrs. Jones shares a past similar to the boy's current circumstances...