Our first short story - individual versus society was Thank-You Ma'am by Langston Hughes. The central theme deals with shame, trust, dignity, and second chances. A teenage boy, Roger, attempts to steal a woman's purse. Mrs. Jones, deals with the situation by highlighting the power of choice and engaging in empty and kindess.
Heres' a copy to the short story and some prompting questions you ask your students to promote discussion. There's also an adaption to the video which my students very much liked!
Questions:
Provide quotational evidence from the text to support your answer (Google Doc).
1. Why do you think Mrs. Jones handles the situation the way she does in the story? What is she trying to accomplish? How do you think this experience is likely to affect Roger?
2. Why do you think Mrs. Jones makes a point of getting Roger to wash his face? Why does she give him food? Why does she tell him about her past? Why does she avoid asking him about his family or background?
3. Why do you think Roger decides he “[does] not want to be mistrusted”?
4. What does Mrs. Jones mean when she says that “shoes got by devilish ways will burn your feet”?
5. Why do you think Roger can’t say “thank you” to Mrs. Jones as he is leaving?
6. What themes does the story express? What does it suggest about some people who commit some crimes?
Once students were done answering the questions, they completed a multiple choice quiz which I will upload here shortly.
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