Thank You Ma’am | Questions and Answers, D.A.Q (Part

Thank You Ma’am | Questions and Answers, D.A.Q (Part – I)

Langston Hughes’ short story, "Thank You, Ma'am" delves into themes of compassion, redemption, and the potential for positive change in individuals, even when society may have given up on them. The story is a poignant exploration of the power of understanding and the profound impact that a single act of kindness can have on shaping a person's future.

Q. Discuss the significance of the title, “Thank You Ma’am”

Answer: Langston Hughes’ short story, “Thank You Ma’am” is about a 14 or 15 year old boy named Roger who decides to steal to buy a pair of blue suede shoes. But this attempt of stealing is hampered and the action that followed brings about a change in the boy. He understands the worth of achieving something through hard work and turns into a better person.

When he tries to snatch Mrs Jones’s purse, he is caught by her, who then drags him to her house. She makes him get tidy and offers him food. Furthermore, she advises him to abstain from any form of wrongdoing in the future.

She even gives him $10 to buy his choice of blue suede shoes. The boy is moved by such an unexpected experience. Mrs Jones showers upon him motherly affection. Roger's deep respect for the kind-hearted lady leads him to express his gratitude, as he utters a heartfelt "thank you." This heart-warming tale beautifully captures Mrs. Jones' generosity and Roger's sincere appreciation toward her, justifying the fitting title of the story.

Q. Sketch the character of Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones

Answer: Mrs Luella Bates is a strong woman who single-handedly drags a teenage boy home. At the beginning of the short story, she is portrayed as a strict person but soon it is discovered that she is an affectionate mother at heart.

She is sympathetic towards the poor unfortunate boy. She takes him to her home with the intention to teach him to differentiate between right and wrong. She takes care of Roger by cleaning him up and cooking him a meal. The sensitive lady makes Roger feel at home with her warmth. She works in a hotel beauty shop and like a friend talks to Roger about her job. See lives alone and is self-sufficient who manages everything on her own.

She is sensible enough not to embarrass the boy by asking about his background. Like a true well-wisher, she wants to put the boy on the right track and hence confesses that she too had been involved in wrongdoings in her past.

She has learned from her mistakes and wants Roger not to do the same. The generous woman gives Roger money to buy his choice of shoes. She advises Roger not to occur anything dishonestly as it causes only suffering in life. Mrs. Jones is successful in reforming Roger and guiding him to lead a peaceful and honest life.

Q. Sketch the character of Roger

Answer: Roger was a 14 or 15 year old boy who had nobody at home. When Mrs. Jones met him, the frill and willow-wild boy was dressed in blue jeans and tennis shoes. The poor teenager wanted certain things which he could not afford. Finding no other way to get them and in the absence of a guiding figure, he thought of stealing.

Being caught red handed, he felt ashamed. His chance-meeting with Mrs. Jones helped him to view life in a new way. He got transformed into a good human being. He neither ran away from Mrs Jones’ house nor did he look at her purse which led unguarded before him on the daybed. Roger's transformation demonstrated that he was not inherently inclined to chemical criminality; rather, external circumstances had steered him onto an unfortunate course.

His inner goodness was brought to surface by Mrs Jones. As he was not an experienced criminal, he was afraid of the police. He was moved at the kindness of the lady since he was deprived of love and care. Her motherly affection had a healing effect on him. Being grateful to the lady, he wanted to say a whole lot but just managed to utter ‘thank you’ before she shut the door and he never got to meet Mrs bates again.

Q. How did Mrs Luella Bates meet Roger? Why did she take him home?

Or describe Mrs Luella Bates Washington Jones encounter with Roger on the street.

Answer: Mrs Luella Bates met Roger one night around 11 o’clock when she was returning home alone from her workplace. Roger a young boy of 14 or 15 years old ran up behind her and tried to snatch her purse by pulling hard on the strap of the bag. The strap broke but Roger failed to escape with the purse and as the weight of the purse combined with his own weight made him lose his balance. He fell on his back on the sidewalk. Mrs. Jones turned around kept him and picked him up grabbing by his shirt front. She shook the boy until his teeth rattled. Mrs Luella Bates made Roger pick up her pocketbook and asked the boy the reason for stealing. Roger replied that he did not aim to steal her purse and apologised to her.

When Mrs. Jones got to know that Roger is all alone in the world, she decided to teach him right from wrong. Hence she took Roger to her home.

Q. “I am very sorry, lady, I am sorry”- who said this to whom? Was he forgiven?

Answer: The above quoted line was said by Roger to Mrs. Jones.

Roger tried to snatch Mrs Jones’s purse but was caught red handed by her. She scolded him, made him pick up her pocketbook and held him tightly. Roger realised that it was impossible to escape from the strong woman and kept saying sorry. He thought that apology might force Mrs. Jones to set him free. But contrary to his expectation, Mrs. Jones dragged Roger to her house to teach him the difference between right and wrong. Mrs. Jones’ decision to take Roger to her house instead of handing him over to the police proved that Roger was forgiven for his mischief. Like a true guardian, Mrs. Jones was both strict and caring towards Roger. Her only intention was to make Roger follow the right path in life.

Q. “Then it will get washed this evening”- who said this to whom?

What was going to get washed? Where? Why?

Answer: Mrs Luella Bates Washington Jones said the above mentioned line to Roger.

Roger’s dirty face was going to get washed.

Roger’s dirty face was going to get washed at Mrs. Jones’ home. Mrs. Jones’ sent him to the sink to wash his face.

Mrs. Jones caught Roger red handed when he was trying to steal her purse. Instead of handing him over to the police, she herself took the responsibility of reforming Roger. When she noticed the dirty face of the young boy, she asked if there was anybody at his home to tell him to wash his face. On hearing a ‘No’ from Roger, she decided to cleanse Roger’s soul as well as his dirty face.

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👉 Thank You Ma’am | D.A.Q. (Part – III)

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