Thank you ma'am

• Mentorles
• Voortgezet speciaal onderwijs
• Leerroute 2

Thank you ma'am

Langston Hughes

Take a look at the pictures and think about what the story will be about

Should people be given a second chance after doing something wrong (lying, stealing, )

“It takes a village to raise a child.”

What are some reasons that people commit crimes?

Background

In this story, published in 1958, Roger, the protagonist*, really wants a

pair of blue suede shoes. This particular fashion item became popular

after Carl Perkins released his hit song “Blue Suede Shoes” in 1956.

Elvis Presley also famously covered the song in the same year.

- What is a protagonist?

The protagonist of a story is its main character, who has the sympathy and support of the audience. This character tends to be involved in or affected by most of the choices or conflicts of the narrative (story). For example: Snow White is the protagonist of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

What would you do if someone stole from you?

Langston Hughes

(1902–1967) published his first work just a year after his high school graduation*. Though he wrote in many genres, Hughes is bestknown for his poetry*. He was one of the main figures in the Harlem Renaissance,

a creative movement among African Americans that took place during the 1920s in Harlem, an area in New York City.

A graduation is the awarding of a diploma by an educational institution.

Poetry is a form of artistic expression that uses language to evoke emotion, paint vivid imagery, and convey complex ideas

kindness

Purse

trust

snatch

struggle

ashamed

forgive

How do you think you would have reacted if you were in Mrs. Jones’ position?

Why doesn’t Mrs. Jones call the police? What do you think are her intentions with the way she deals with the situation with Roger?

Would you have run if you were Roger? Why or why not?

“Shoes got by devilish ways will burn your feet?” What lesson does it teach about life? 

Write a letter to Mrs Roger.

imagine that you are Roger and that it has been 10 years since the encounter that occurs in this short story. Write a thank-you letter to Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones to tell her what you did after you left her home, what you have been doing since the encounter, and what impact her actions and words have had on you using evidence from the text.