by Langston Hughes 😍📕

“Thank You, Ma’am” is an American short story written by Langston Hughes.
The story was published in 1958 and is not in the public domain. it’s also one of those important short stories that carries great social value and has the ability to teach and instruct its readers.

Who is Langston Hughes? 💙✍

Name: James Langston Hughes.

Lived: February 1, 1902 – May 22, 1967.

Considered one of the earliest innovators of the literary art from “jazz poetry”.

Best Known for his work during the Harlem Renaissance.

Summary :📜😵

The story begins with an encounter between Roger, a teenage boy, and Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones, an older woman walking home from work late one night…

Thank You, Mam

                   ↙                       ↘

            Roger                      Mrs. Jones

                              ⬇

         He attempts to steal her purse,

         but because it is so heavy he failed.

                              ⬇

                He lost his balance.

                              ⬇

          She dragged him to here home.

          she asked him to wash his face and comb his hair.

                              ⬇

          She wants to teach him right ✔from wrong ❌.

                              ⬇

          He told her that he tried to steal her

          just to buy blue suede shoes.

                              ⬇

         She told him that he must

         not get things he wants by devilish ways.

                              ⬇

          At the end she said ” behave yourself son “

          and she give him 🔟 💲to buy shoes.

                              ⬇

          He wants to tell her something other than.

 ” thank you m’am ” although his lips moved he couldn’t even say that .

🎞📽

Setting :

Place:🌎

Harlem, New York

Dark walkway

Mrs.Jones’ small flat

One room: bedroom, kitchen, living room, bathroom

Time:⏱

Late at night

1950’s

Clues: Blue Suede shoes

😍Harlem, 🆕 York😍

What do you think of when you think of Harlem?

Harlem : Neighborhood in New York City, 1920s.

👊conflict👊

External:

    – character 🆚. character

•Roger steals Mrs.Jones’ purse, and she makes him come home with her.

Internal:

    – character 🆚. self

     •Rojer wants to run away but doesn’t want to disappoint Mrs.Jones

Theme :

• Right 🆚. wrong

• Forgiveness

• Restitution

What kind of character is Mrs.Jones ?

She is a large woman who carries a big, heavy purse. She seems brave because she is walking home alone late at night. She is strong physically and mentally. She is determined to teach Roger a lesson, yet is sensitive rnough not to hurt or frighten him. She is honest to admit to past mistakes and understanding to talk about them.She is kind to think about the boy’s hunger. She is poor and has few possessions. She is generous because she shares her food and gives away her money.

How would you characterize Roger?

He doesn’t have much of a family life because no one is at home, no one to cook. He is dishonest when he tries to steal Mrs.Jones to control. He is obedient by doing what Mrs.Jones tells him to do. He wants to be trustworthy and doesn’t run when he can. He is grateful and wants to say more than “Thank you.” He is polite and says “m’am.’