What is the main conflict in "Thank You M'am" and how is it resolved?

The main conflict in “Thank You, M’am” is Roger’s internal conflict of whether or not to run away.

The initial conflict in the story is a character vs. character conflict between Roger and Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones.  Roger tries to steal Mrs. Jones’s purse, and Mrs. Jones not only prevents him, she basically kidnaps him.

Mrs. Jones asks Roger if she was bothering him, and he confirms that she wasn’t.

“But you put yourself...

The main conflict in “Thank You, M’am” is Roger’s internal conflict of whether or not to run away.

The initial conflict in the story is a character vs. character conflict between Roger and Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones.  Roger tries to steal Mrs. Jones’s purse, and Mrs. Jones not only prevents him, she basically kidnaps him.

Mrs. Jones asks Roger if she was bothering him, and he confirms that she wasn’t.

“But you put yourself in contact with me,” said the woman. “If you think that that contact is not going to last awhile, you got another thought coming. When I get through with you, sir, you are going to remember Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones.”

Commenting that someone needs to wash his face, she asks him if he is hungry.  Mrs. Jones realizes that Roger is not a serious hoodlum.  He is a young boy who made a bad choice.  To keep him from making others, she takes him home and feeds him.

Roger is the one who has the conflict now.  He faces an internal conflict, which means character vs. self.  He has to decide what to do about Mrs. Jones.  Should he stay, or should he go?

“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.

The italics demonstrate Roger’s struggle to decide whether to stay or go.  In the end, he stays.  He continues to wonder what to do, but Mrs. Jones shows him empathy and explains to him how she understands his situation, and once was young herself and wanted things she could not have.  Mrs. Jones shows him kindness, and he returns the favor.  Not only does he not run, he even asks her if she needs anything.