The story “Thank You, M’am” reveals many pertinent details about Roger:
his life on the streets, who he is as a person, and his life at home
. Roger’s life on the streets: In the opening of Hughes’ sketch, the reader discovers that Roger is a thief.
What can you infer about Rogers home life?
Roger’s response to Mrs. Jones’s insistence that he wash his face and eat some dinner is to comply. He tells her that “there’s nobody home at my house.” Readers can infer that
his parents are probably working and that he is on his own
.
What do you learn about Roger and Mrs Jones from their silence?
These silences reveal that
the stories behind both characters are deeper and carry meaning beyond the scope of the words themselves
. The reader is able to benefit from the silences and appreciate the difference that Mrs. Jones has had on Roger.
What did Roger learn from the way Mrs Jones treated him?
Expert Answers
Young Roger has learned (1)
to respect people and their property
, and he has learned that (2) there are people who are genuinely concerned about the welfare of others. (1) When Roger attempts to steal her purse away from Mrs.
Do you think Roger learned a lesson in this story?
Roger has
learned the lesson of seeing people as more than they appear to be
. Every person has a story and this allows them to connect to other people. Roger has learned this lesson in the way he wants to be seen by Mrs. Jones after he gets to know her.
What do Roger and Mrs Jones eat for supper?
Mrs. Jones heats up some
lima beans and ham
that she had in her icebox and also gives Roger a nice cup of cocoa. After the two eat dinner, Mrs. Ham, lima beans, and cake do not make up an expensive meal, but the reader does recognize that Mrs.
Why does Roger offer the store?
Overall, Roger offers to go to the store
to prove his honesty and gauge whether or not Mrs. Jones trusts him
. Roger, having just tried to steal Mrs. Jones’s purse, is now in her apartment waiting while she cooks him dinner.
Why is Roger scared at first in Mrs Jones’s home?
In “Thank You, M’am,” why is Roger scared at first in Mrs. Jones’s home?
He fears that Mrs. Jones will turn him over to the police.
What action does Mrs Jones take as a result of her struggle with Roger?
Jones do when the boy struggles to get away?
She jerks him around in front of her, wrestles him with one arm, and drags him up the street
. She shouts very loudly for help, frightening the boy into staying at her side.
Why didnt Mrs Jones take Roger to the police?
Why didn’t Mrs. Jones call the police?
She said she had experiences like Roger when she was young and she was trying to help him get his life back on track
. He was a teenager, skinny, dirty, and didn’t have anybody to go to.
What lesson did Roger learn in thank you mam?
Young Roger has learned (1)
to respect people and their property
, and he has learned that (2) there are people who are genuinely concerned about the welfare of others. (1) When Roger attempts to steal her purse away from Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones, he thinks selfishly only of his own gain.
Why does Roger want to thank Mrs Luella Bates Washington Jones at the end of the story?
Why does Roger want to thank Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones at the end of the story?
Roger appreciates the faith that Mrs. Jones has in him and regrets trying to steal from her.
Do you think Rogers encounter with Mrs Jones changed his life in what way?
Yes, Roger’s encounter with Mrs. Jones
altered his life–or it should have
. Most people who’ve never been given hope or shown compassion or respect need only one real instance of someone believing in them to see the possibilities within themselves.
What is she trying to accomplish How do you think this experience is likely to affect Roger?
What is she trying to accomplish? How will this experience likely affect Roger?
She was young once and did not so good things
; To teach him a lesson and teach him right from wrong ; He’ll think twice. Why does Mrs.
How are her actions connected to her past experiences?
C) Her actions are connected to her past experiences
because in the story she hints that she was once like Roger
. She may have been put in the same situation when she was young and wished that someone did the same thing for her.
How do Roger’s motives and actions change during the story?
Roger has been a thief. The society has always looked down upon him. However,
the tenderness of human love and trust moves him
so much that he ends up being changed into a sensitive young man from a petty thief.
