Discuss the central idea of the story “Thank You Ma’am.”


Many people try to get things in the easy way which in turn makes them repent and takes away their mental peace. This message is conveyed by Hughes through the story of a small boy-turned thief, out of need. But through Mrs Jones, the spokesperson of Hughes, he makes the boy learn how things get in the wrong way, will ‘burn’ one’s peace. This boy would have remained a thief and continued to steal to fulfil his wants if he had not been caught by Mrs Jones. Her personality, her treatment to the boy, her kindness and her simple answer as “you could of asked me” brings about a change in the boy. He understands that earning through hard work is better than to try such easy ways out. It not only earns one respect but also helps one to grow up in life and this teaching about life is the central idea of this story. The boy glowing in this new light could only utter ‘Thank you, ma’am, as he left Mrs Jones’ house.

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

The word “thank you’ expresses gratitude but the title expresses a little more than just gratitude. This story is about a boy, Roger, who decides to steal a purse to buy himself a pair of blue suede shoes. But this attempt of stealing changes his life and helps him to understand the worth of achieving something through hard work and helps him turn into a better person. When he tries to snatch Mrs Jones’ purse, he is caught and dragged to her house. She freshens him up, makes him comb his hair and offers him food. Moreover, she advises him never to engage himself again in any kind of evil activities. She even gives him ten dollars, the money for which he planned to steal the purse. The boy is really moved by such an unexpected experience. His meeting with Mrs Jones reveals to him a whole new canvas of motherly affection. So Roger’s respect for her and his desire to express a lot as a homage to the kind-hearted lady makes him utter Thank you, Ma’am!. The story is thus appropriately entitled to convey the unique message of selfless service and gratitude.

What features of the character of Mrs Luella Bates are exposed in the short story “Thank You Ma’am”?

“The boy wanted to say something else other than “Thank you, ma’am” to Mrs Luella Bates Washington Jones’ – Who was the boy? Why did he want to say something else other than “Thank you, Ma’am” to the woman?


Sketch the character of Roger.

“…and shook him until his teeth rattled.” Who is mentioned as “him'”? Who shook him? Why was he shaken?


“I’m very sorry, lady, I’m sorry,”—Who said this to whom? Was the speaker really sorry? Why did he apologise?

“You ought to be my son. I would teach you right from wrong.”-Who speaks to whom? 35 Did the speaker manage to teach what he/she claimed to teach? Give reasons for your answer.


“I would teach you right from wrong.”-Who said this, to whom and when? How did the speaker transform the person spoken to here?

“When I get through with you, sir, you are going to remember Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones.”-Why do you think the woman would prove to be unforgettable for Roger and what kind of a person would he remember her as?


“Sweat popped out on the boy’s face and he began to struggle.”-When did sweat pop out on the boy’s face? Why did he struggle? What next happened to the boy?

“You gonna take me to jail?”-Who said this? Why did the speaker think so? Was the speaker eventually taken to jail? If not, why?


“I wanted a pair of…shoes.”-What reply did the speaker get and how did he react?

“You could of asked me.”-What did the speaker expect to be asked? What light does it throw upon the character of the speaker?


“He could make a dash for it down the hall. He could run, run, run, run, run!”-Where do these lines occur? Who is the speaker? Who is he’? Why didn’t he run?

“I have done things, too,”—Who said this to whom? What do you think the speaker has done? Why did the speaker say this to the listener?


“I were young once and I wanted things I could not get.”- How does the utterance bridge the gap between the two characters?

“There was another long pause.”-What was the reason for this long pause? Was there any other pause previously? If yes, state the reason for that pause.


“There was a long pause. A very long pause.”-Bring out the significance of pause’.

“The woman did not watch the boy to see if he was going to run now.”-Why didn’t the woman watch the boy anymore?