Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can.” Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones attempts to drive out Rogers wrong actions with love. She treats Roger with empathy, respect, and trusts him. Her sense of justice clearly shows that she believes in correcting people's actions with love rather than hate. After Roger’s failed attempt to steal Mrs. Jones’ purse he is brought back to her house. Not for a punishment as he would assume, but for Mrs. Jones’ attempt to help him better himself and in turn society. She is empathetic towards Roger because of his appearance, “Frail and willow-wild… ‘You ought to be my son. I will teach you right from wrong. Least I can do right now is to wash your face. Are you hungry?”
