Thank You, M'am

Langston Hughes's "Thank You, M'am" uses various literary devices to convey themes of trust and compassion. Imagery, hyperbole, characterization, colloquial diction, and symbolism are key elements....

In Langston Hughes's short story "Thank You, M'am," the primary conflict is between Roger and Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones, arising when Roger attempts to steal her purse. This external...

In "Thank You, M'am," Mrs. Jones' phrase "shoes got by devilish ways will burn your feet" is a moral lesson to Roger about the consequences of ill-gotten gains. She uses this metaphor to convey that...

Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones is a compassionate and strong-willed character. Her primary motivation is to teach Roger a lesson in kindness and trust, as shown by her decision to take him home,...

In Langston Hughes's "Thank You, M'am," Roger undergoes significant character development through his interaction with Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones. Initially, Roger is a desperate,...

Mrs. Jones treats Roger the way she does in "Thank You, M'am" because she understands what it's like to go without something you really want. As a consequence, she develops great empathy towards...

The key conflict in Langston Hughes' "Thank You, M'am" is between Roger and Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones after he tries to steal her purse. The irony lies in her unexpected response; instead of...

In the short story "Thank You, Ma'am" by Langston Hughes, Mrs. Jones makes Roger wash his face because she wants to offer him the unselfish love that he does not receive from his family. After she...

In Langston Hughes's "Thank You, M'am," Roger, a poor teenager, attempts to steal Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones's purse to buy blue suede shoes. Despite her initial physical reaction, Mrs. Jones...

Mrs. Jones's response to Roger's actions contributes to the themes in "Thank You, M'am" surrounding compassion, dignity, and trust. By showing Roger kindness, Mrs. Jones reinforces the idea that...

The title "Thank You, M'am" in Langston Hughes's short story reflects the profound impact Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones has on the young boy, Roger, after he attempts to steal her purse. Instead...

"Thank You, Ma'am," like most stories, contains many examples of both direct and indirect characterization.

In parting, Roger likely wants to tell Mrs. Luella Bates that he appreciates her grace and authenticity in "Thank You, M'am." He likely also regrets singling out this strong and kind woman as his...

In "Thank You, M'am," Mrs. Jones is the protagonist because she demonstrates heroic actions and compassion, helping Roger, who could be seen as a second protagonist due to his sympathetic portrayal....

Differences between "Thank You, M'am" and "Mother and Son" include structure, with one being a poem and the other a short story. Also, there is no biological connection between the characters in...

The quote foreshadows Mrs. Jones's compassionate treatment of Roger, who tried to steal her purse. She empathizes with his situation, teaching him right from wrong by caring for him, feeding him, and...

Key moments in "Thank You, M'am" include Roger's attempt to steal Mrs. Jones' purse, her decision to take him to her home instead of reporting him, and their shared meal. The resolution occurs when...

In "Thank You, M'am" by Langston Hughes, Mrs. Jones's purse symbolizes trust, generosity, and the weight of her experiences. The large, heavy purse represents her life's burdens and the valuable...

Roger and Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones in "Thank You, M'am" are contrasted by their circumstances and behaviors. Roger is a young boy who attempts to steal, indicating his desperation and lack...

The dialogue and letter samples from "Thank You, M'am" reflect Roger's gratitude and personal growth after his encounter with Mrs. Jones. In a corrected conversation, Roger expresses appreciation for...

"Thank You, M'am" follows a traditional plot structure with exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. The exposition introduces Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones and Roger....

In Langston Hughes's "Thank You, M'am," Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones is depicted as a strong, compassionate woman who, after thwarting Roger's attempt to steal her purse, takes him home, feeds...

In Langston Hughes' "Thank You, M'am," Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones gives Roger $10, a significant sacrifice given her modest means. She lives in a small room with other "roomers," indicating...

The perspective in Langston Hughes's "Thank You, M'am" is third-person omniscient. This allows the narrator to provide a comprehensive view of the characters and events without bias. The narrator...

The story "Thank You, M'am" does not always maintain a serious tone; there are instances of humor. For example, Hughes describes Mrs. Jones kicking Roger "right square in his blue-jeaned sitter" and...

In Langston Hughes's "Thank You, M'am," Mrs. Jones leaves the door open to demonstrate trust and allow Roger the choice to stay or leave, teaching him a lesson in decision-making. Despite his initial...

If Mrs. Jones had called the police on Roger, his life could have taken a negative turn. He might have ended up with a criminal record, faced incarceration, and struggled with employment and...

In Langston Hughes's "Thank You, M'am," Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones is portrayed as a woman of modest means. She lives in a simple, shared apartment with a kitchenette, indicating her...

Roger offers to go to the store in "Thank You, M'am" to prove his trustworthiness and to show Mrs. Jones that he is capable of being responsible. This act is a turning point for Roger, as he seeks...

Instead of calling the police, Mrs. Jones takes Roger home to teach him a lesson herself. Initially, Roger is worried and considers escaping, fearing punishment or arrest. However, upon realizing...

The Standard English translation of "Maybe, you ain't been to your supper either, late as it be" from Langston Hughes' story "Thank You, M'am" is "Maybe you haven't been home for your supper either...

An alternative ending to "Thank You, Ma'am" could feature Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones as a criminal herself, poisoning the boy with the food she gives him or inviting him to join a gang of...

In "Thank You, M'am," the blue suede shoes symbolize Roger's desires and temptations that lead him to attempt theft. Initially, they represent unattainable material desires that drive him to make...

In "Thank You, M'am" by Langston Hughes, the rising action occurs after Roger tries to steal Mrs. Jones' purse. Examples include Mrs. Jones taking Roger to her home, talking to him about his life,...

Roger is a dynamic character in "Thank You, M'am" by Langston Hughes. At the story's beginning, he attempts theft, but his encounter with Mrs. Jones profoundly changes him. Through her understanding...

Mrs. Jones works in the beauty shop of a hotel that stays open late to serve various clients. This employment reflects her as an ordinary yet honest person who earns her living through hard work. Her...

The signposts in "Thank You M'am" include contrasts and contradictions, the “aha” moment, words of the wiser, repetitions, memory moments, and tough questions. Mrs. Jones taking Roger home...

The setting of "Thank You, M'am" is important to the story in that it creates much of the subtext on which Hughes's story relies. Very little in this short story is stated directly by Hughes himself....

Mrs. Jones refrained from asking Roger about his whereabouts to avoid embarrassing him and to focus on helping him make better choices. She asked only his name and whether he had eaten, avoiding...

Mrs. Jones' behavior in the quote reflects a shift from being authoritative to trusting and motherly towards Roger. Initially, she is stern and even physical to prevent him from escaping. However, as...

The thesis of "Thank You, M'am" can be centered around the transformative power of kindness and empathy. Mrs. Jones' actions, such as caring for Roger and giving him money, suggest themes of...

The phrase "shake someone until their teeth rattle" primarily uses the literary device of hyperbole. Hyperbole involves exaggeration to emphasize an action or emotion, as it is impossible to shake...

Mrs. Jones's actions are connected to her past experiences in that she recalls her own experience of poverty and says that she did things of which she is now ashamed. These reflections make her...

No, the boy's teeth did not actually rattle when Mrs. Jones shook him in "Thank You, M'am." The phrase is a figurative expression used by the author to illustrate how forcefully Mrs. Jones shook the...

Mrs. Jones implies she has done things she regrets to empathize with Roger and inspire him to change. By admitting to past mistakes, she aims to make Roger feel comfortable and understood,...

Mrs. Jones' background reveals that she is a hardworking woman with a past of making poor choices. She works late at a beauty parlor and appears to live alone, suggesting a sense of loneliness. Her...

The boy's decision to stay in "Thank You, M'am" is influenced by Mrs. Jones's unexpected kindness and trust. Instead of turning him in or punishing him, she treats him with respect and offers him a...

Mrs. Jones avoids embarrassing Roger by treating him with kindness and understanding after he attempts to steal her purse. Instead of punishing him, she cares for him by offering food, washing his...

If "Thank You, M'am" were narrated by Roger in the first person, the story's focus would shift from the universal theme of shared struggle between generations to Roger's personal experience. This...

The tone of "Thank You, M'am" is lighthearted, humorous, compassionate, and optimistic.