Thank You Madam Questions and Answers\
MARK -1
Q.1 In what sense is the expression ‘Thank You Ma’am’ used in the story ?
Ans The expression is of the gratitude of the boy Roger to Mrs Jones for her consideration, kindness and instruction to him.
Q.2 Can ‘Thank You Ma’am’ be taken as a short story ?
Ans Yes, this can be taken as a short story.
Q.3 Towhat did the author Langston Hughes belong ?
Ans Langston Hughes was an African-American writer.
Q. 4 Where did the author Langston Hughes live ?
Ans Langston Hughes lived in the United States of America.
Q.5 Who are the characters of the story ‘Thank You Ma’am’?
Ans There are only two characters in the story ‘Thank You Ma’am’— a boy of fourteen or fifteen, Roger and a large, aged but strong lady Mrs Luella Bates Washington Jones.
Q.6 Who did try to snatch and what?
Ans A boy, Roger, aged about fourteen or fifteen, tried to snatch a large purse, hanging from the shoulder of a large woman Mrs Washington Jones.
Q.7 Did the boy succeed in his effort to snatch the purse ?
Ans The boy did not succeed in his effort to snatch the purse.
Q.8 How did the large lady come to grip the boy firmly ?
Ans In his effort to snatch the large lady’s big purse, the boy had fallen down on his back and she got hold of him firmly.
[Q.9 What did the large lady say about the boy’s face ?
Ans The large lady said that the boy’s face was dirty enough and should be washed.
Q. 10 What did the lady do with the boy after getting him firmly in her grip?
Ans She sternly rebuked him for his effort to snatch her big purse and dragged him forcibly into her own house.
Q.11 What did the large lady ask the boy to remember?
Ans The large lady asked the boy to remember her name as Mrs Luella Bates Washington Jones.
Q.12 What was Mrs Jones’ profession? Or, Where did Mrs Jones work? [HS-2016]
Ans Mrs Jones possibly ran a beauty parlour where fashionable women used to come to dress up their faces and hair.
Q. 13 Why did the large lady ask Roger to go to the sink?
Ans She asked him to wash his face in the warm water there.
Q.14 Did the lady take Roger to the police station?
Ans The lady had no intention to make over Roger to the police and did not, therefore, take him to the police station.
Q. 15 What did the large lady say of herself to Roger?
Ans The large lady said to Roger that in her youth, too, she had wanted things that she could not get.
Q.16 How did the boy part from Mrs Jones?
Ans The boy parted from Mrs Jones with warm
gratitude for her kindness and advice to him to lead an honest life.
Q.17 Whatcould Roger manage to say before Mrs Jones shut the door.?
Ans Roger had much to say to Mrs Jones, but he could only manage to say, “Thank You Ma’am”.
Q.18 How was Roger impressed?
Ans Roger was impressed by the figure, personality, magnanimity and affectionate behaviour of Mrs Jones.
Q.19 What message does the story ‘Thank You Ma’am’ convey to us?
Ans The story ‘Thank You Ma’am’ conveys a message that if a child offender is properly guided with both authority and sincere affection, the offender must change into a good soul.
Q.20 Why could not the boy run away with the purse he hadsnatched?
Ans The boy could not run away with the purse he had snatched, because the purse was large and the boy lost his balance and fell down when the strap broke.
Q.21 What is the name of the snatcher boy ?
Ans The name of the snatcher boy is Roger.
Q.22 What did the woman do with the boy?
Ans The lady gave the boy food and money.
Q.23 “Nowain’t you ashamed of yourself?”-Who said this and to whom?
Ans Mrs Luella Bates Washington Jones said this to Roger.
Q.24 Why did Roger want to snatch away the purse of Mrs Jones?
Ans Roger wanted to snatch away the purse of Mrs Jones because he needed money to buy a pair of blue suede shoes.
Q.25 “He could run, run, run, run, run!”-Who is referred to here?
Ans Roger, the snatcher boy, is referred to here.
Q.26 Why did not Roger run?
Ans Roger underwent a remarkable change by the kind treatment of Mrs Jones and decided not to run away.
Q.27 What did Mrs Jones carry on her shoulder?
Ans Mrs Jones carried a large heavy purse on her shoulder.
10. 28 How did Mrs Jones carry her purse?
Ans Mrs Jones’s purse had a long strap and she carried it slung across her shoulder.
Q. 29 Why did the boy fail to snatch away the purse?
Ans The boy failed to snatch away the purse because he lost his balance and fell on his back on the sidewalk.
Q.30 What did Jones do when the boy had fallen?
Ans When the boy had fallen on his back Mrs Jones kicked the boy in his blue-jeaned sitter.
Q.31 “Then I won’t turn you loose.”-Who said this and why?
Ans Mrs Luella Bates Washington Jones said this. She said this because Roger said that he would run if she turned him loose.
Q.32 How much did Jones give to Roger at the end of the story?
Ans At the end of the story Mrs Jones gave ten dollars to Roger.
Q.33 What was the impression of the boy about the woman at the end of the story?
ans The boy was very much impressed with the affectionate behaviour of the woman and wanted to express his gratitude to her by saying something else than thanking her.
Q.34 What did Mrs Jones advice the boy ?
Ans Mrs Jones advised the boy not to pickpocket again and to lead his life honestly.
Q.35 What type of customers did Mrs Jones handle at the hotel beauty shop?
Ans In the hotel beauty shop treating hair, Mrs Jones had to handle different types of female customers with different types of hair-blonder, red heads, Spanish etc..
Q.36 Was Mrs Jones alone in the house where Roger was brought ?
Ans No, Mrs Jones was not alone in the house where Roger was brought, because Roger heard other inmates laughing and talking in that house and some doors were opened also.
Q.37 How did Mrs Jones bring Roger to her house?
Ans Firmly gripping the front of his shirt Mrs Jones dragged Roger down the street and brought him to her house.
Q.38 How did Roger look when he was brought to Mrs Jones’s house?
Ans When Roger was brought to the house of Mrs Jones he looked as a dirty faced fourteen years old boy with a weak, thin body putting on tennis shoes and blue jeans.
Q.39 What were there behind the screen in Mrs Jones’s room?
Ans A gas plate and an icebox were behind the screen.
Q.40 Where did Mrs Jones work?
Ans Mrs Jones worked in a hotel beauty parlour that remained open late at night.
Q. 41 Why did Mrs Jones initially decide to take Rogar to her home?
Ans Looking at his face Mrs Jones noticed his face dirty and decided to take Roger with her to wash his face.
Q.42 How was the purse of Mrs Luella Bates?
Ans The purse of Mrs Luella Bates was a large one with a long strap and it had almost everything in it. It was too heavy for the boy to snatch away from her.
Q. 43 Why couldn’t the boy snatch the purse from the lady ?
Ans The boy could not snatch away the purse from the lady because the combined weight of the boy and bag caused the boy to loose his balance.
Q. 44 How did the lady react when her purse was snatched by a boy ?
Ans When the boy snatched the purse of the lady she turned and kicked the boy. Afterwards she picked him up by his shirt front and shook him until his teeth rattled.
Q.45 “You a lie”-Who said this and to whom? Why did the speaker say this?
Ans The lady in the story “Thank You Ma’am’ said this to the snatcher boy. She said that the boy was lying because the latter said that he had not intended to take her purse.
Q.46 “I got a great mind.” – Who is referred to as ‘I’? What did ‘I want to do with the boy ?
Ans Here ‘T’ refers to the lady in the story ‘Thank You Ma’am’. The lady wanted to wash the face of the young boy as it was very dirty.
10.47 How was the interior of the house of Mrs Bates?
Ans The house of Mrs Bates had a large hall and it was the back of the house. The house had a large kitchen in it.
Q.48 Why’d Why did Mrs Jones drag the boy inside her house?
Ans Mrs Jones did not like to be parted with the boy. So she dragged the boy inside her house so that he might not flee from her.
Q.49 What reason did the boy put behind his snatching the purse?
ns The boy said that he needed a pair of blue Swede shoes but he had no money to buy it. That was why he tried to collect money by snatching her purse.
Q.50 Why didn’t the boy want to be mistrusted?
Ans The boy did not want to be mistrusted because he realised that Mrs. Jones trusted him and he gradually understood the worth of keeping one’s trust and apppreciating one’s love.
Q.51 Where did Roger fall on losing his balance ?
Ans Roger fell on losing his balance on the sidewalk.
Q.52 What was the full name of Mrs. Jones ?
Ans The full name of Mrs. Jones was Luella Bates Washington Jones.
Q.53 According to Mrs. Jones, how old was the boy?
Ans According to Mrs. Jones, the boy was about fourteen or fifteen years old.
MARKS-6
Q.1 Relate in brief the street-scene at about eleven o’clock one night. [6]
Ans It was a late night-about eleven o’clock. A large woman was walking alone along the side-walk of a street. She had a large purse, hanging from her shoulder. Suddenly, a boy, aged about fourteen or fifteen, appeared. He ran behind the lady and tried to snatch her big purse. He lost his balance in his effort and fell on his back on the sidewalk.
Before he could get up, the large woman gripped him tightly.
She forced him to pick up her purse that had fallen on the road. She sharply rebuked and threatened him. The boy looked pale and nervous. The lady began to drag him towards her own house. Some people came but dispersed without much fuss . The woman took the boy straight to her house. She took him through a hall, into a large kitchen. [143 words]
Q2 What did the large woman do with the boy at first.
ns The woman first dragged the helpless and nervous boy into her big kitchen. She was careful enough lest he should try to flee away. She put on the light and left the door open. The boy could hear talk and laughter from other rooms. He realized that there were other people in the house. So he made no further effort to escape.
Of course, the lady still tightly held him by his neck. She wanted to know his name. He was Roger. She asked the boy to go to the sink and cleanse his face in warm water. The boy wanted to know whether she would make him over to the police. She did not answer straight but insisted on washing his face. The boy, in fact, was forced to do that. [132 words ]
Q.3 Relate briefly how Mrs Jones ultimately treated Roger and let her go. Point out, in this connection, what aspects of her character are marked herein ?
ns The boy Roger, about fourteen to fifteen years old, was caught red-handed by Mrs Jones, as he was trying to snatch her big purse. She was a strong, stout and unsparing woman. She rebuked him sharply and dragged him forcibly to her own big house.
But she behaved there rather strangely with the boy. She, no doubt, continued to scold him. But she neither made him over to the police nor assaulted him physically.
She rather made him cleanse his face in the warm water of the sink and comb his hair. Thereafter she fed that hungry boy. She even gave him ten dollars on knowing that he had tried to snatch her purse to have money to buy a pair of blue suede shoes. She advised him to buy such a pair of shoes from that money and earnestly entreated him to keep to the right track.
Finally she took him to the gate and bade him goodbye. Mrs Jones’ encounter with Roger has a three-fold revelation of her character. First, she was a strong, firm and unsparing lady. Second, she was considerate and sympathetic . Thirdly, she was kind-hearted and liberal enough to feed and give money to the needy tempted boy. [192 words]
Q.4 Comment on the end of the story ‘Thank You Ma’am’.
Ans The hard beginning of the story ‘Thank You Ma’am’ has a soft end. Roger’s attempt to snatch the big purse of a large lady. Mrs Washington Jones resulted in high action and hard accusation . The boy was caught red-handed by the unsparing lady who dragged him forcibly to her house. She accused him and rebuked him hard. But she really did nothing hard to him.
She did nothing to torment or even embarrass him. The large woman was sympathetic and generous to him. She gave him food and money to purchase the pair of suede shoes of his choice. The end is all in softness and timidness. The boy was overwhelmed by the large woman’s equally large heart. He had much to say but he could not say anything more than his ‘thanks’—”Thank you Ma’am’,
Indeed, this is a quiet end after a stormy beginning.
(145 words ]
Q.5 Write a short note on the character of Mrs Washington Jones. [6]
ns The most important character of the story “Thank You Ma’am’ is definitely Mrs Luella Bates Washington Jones. Of course, the story has only two characters.
Mrs Bates Washington Jones leads the story from the beginning. Her physical feature and strength are drawn quite impressively. She has a large body, immense strength and iron determination. She caught red-handed the sly fellow Roger who tried to snatch her big purse. She gripped him firmly, allowed no scope to him to escape and dragged him to her own big house.
Mrs Jones was unsparing, but not tyrannical . She scolded the offender sternly, but did not make him over to the police. She did not, too, subject him to any physical torture . She even did not embarrass him by asking anything about his place or
people. On the other hand, she helped and pressed him to wash his face and comb his hair.
Indeed, Mrs Jones has a heart, full of the milk of human kindness. She understood the boy’s condition and sympathized with him. She fed the hungry boy and even gave him ten dollars to purchase his chosen pair of blue suede shoes. At the same time she gave no indulgence to adopt any unfair means. She warned him sternly – ” .shoes come by devilish like that will burn your feet.” Her last words to him contain her solid preaching to live straight and honestly”Goodnight! Behave yourself, boy!” (237 words) M
Q.6 Evaluatethe two contrary aspects of the character Mrs Washington Jones. [6]
Ans Mrs Bates Washington Jones leads the story from the beginning. Her physical feature and strength are drawn quite impressively. She has a large body, immense strength and iron determination. She caught red-handed the sly fellow Roger who tried to snatch her big purse. She gripped him firmly, allowed no scope to him to escape and dragged him to her own big house.
Mrs Jones was unsparing but not tyrannical . She scolded the offender sternly, but did not make him over to the police. She did not, too, subject him to any physical torture. On the other hand, she helped and pressed him to wash his face and comb his hair.
She also understood the boy’s condition and fed the hungry boy and even gave him ten dollars to purchase his chosen pair of blue suede shoes. At the same time she gave no indulgence to adopt any unfair means. She warned him sternly………shoes come by devilish like that will burn your feet.’
Indeed, contrasting traits are thoroughly mingled up in Mrs. Jones’s nature. With her tough body and rough manners, she entertains a soft and kind heart and a helping hand. 1192 words ]
Q.7 Attempt a short sketch on the character of Roger.
Ans Roger is the second of the two characters of the story, ‘Thank You Ma’am’. He is a boy lean and feeble of fourteen or fifteen. His attempt to snatch the big purse of the large woman Mrs Luella Bates Washington Jones starts the story. He remains all through the story that ends with his thanks to the large lady.
Roger, the young boy, definitely attempts to do a crime. But he is no regular criminal. He is a victim of tempting circumstances. He seems tempted by his desire to possess a pair of blue suede shoes. He fails in his wrong effort and suffers humiliation. He gets scolded and threatened by Mrs Jones.
mistake But Roger is not all bad. He realizes his own and repents for what he has attempted. Fortunately, his captor is basically good-natured and kind, hearted. He gets washed, combed, fed and finally let off with his required money . Roger’s good sense is roused. He is overwhelmed with gratitude and thankfulness . He wants to say much to his deliverer . The way of his departure [ 183 words) bears out his basic good nature.
Q.8 Estimate critically ‘Thank You Ma’am’ as a short story. [6]
Ans A short story is a story that is short-even very short. Its length is short and short is its theme, with a very few characters. Its ending, too, is impressive enough. ‘Thank You Ma’am’ has all the marks of a good short story. First, its length is short, hardly four pages. The theme is too short-an attempt of snatching and a happy end with a deep lesson. Characters here are only two-Mrs Washington Jones and Roger, a boy of fourteen or fifteen.
The story has an impressive end with a deep lesson-“Remain ever to the right track to behave oneself straight and properly.” The tempted boy repents and somehow expresses his earnest gratitude to the large woman. She catches his crime and saves him from punishment. His dirty face is cleansed and so is his mind. His words of gratitude come
from his heart and rightly ends the story with a lesson that lasts ‘Thank you Ma’am.’
The story is rightly short with a pointed message.
What is more, this has no undue elaboration , Both narration and dialogue are well controlled. These are brief to the core as in a good short story. What is more, sentences are short, simple and convincing. [204 words ]
Q.9 Narrate precisely the story, ‘Thank You Ma’am’. Bring out the message of the story, if any. [4+2=6]
Ans One night at about eleven o’clock, a boy of fourteen or fifteen tried to snatch the big purse of a stout, large, aged lady. He failed, and was caught red-handed by her. She sharply accused and threatened him and dragged him to her big house. The unsparing lady straight took him to a hall and continued her hard words of rebuke. The boy, Roger by name, was frail and timid and felt extremely nervous.
• But the large, stout woman, Mrs Luella Bates Washington Jones acted strangely. She did not make over the boy to the police nor physically assaulted him. She rather made him wash his face and served him with some food and drink. She came to know from him that he had tried to snatch her big purse to have money to purchase a pair of
blue suede shoes. She talked to him of her own self, forbade him to make no such attempt in the future and gave him ten dollars to buy a pair of blue suede shoes.
The boy was overwhelmed by her generosity Before leaving her house, he could only anyhow thank her and went away.
The story is all simple and straight about a tempted young thief and a strong, stern middle aged lady. The latter, she bade him farewell, after giving a message about good living-“Remain ever to the right track to behave oneself straight and properly.”. That is ever a good message for one who is only tempted, but not a roguish. [253 words ]
Q. 10 “The young boy is a prey to temptation, not a criminal at heart.”-Discuss. [6]
Ans Roger, the young boy, definitely attempts to do a crime. But he is no regular criminal. He is a victim of tempting circumstances. He seems tempted by his desire to possess a pair of blue suede shoes. He has no money and he runs to get that by snatching a woman’s purse. That is a wrong ambition and an unholy effort. He fails and suffers humiliation. He gets scolded and threatened by Mrs Jones.
He becomes much frightened under the hard grip of the unsparing woman Mrs Jones.
But Roger is not all bad. He realizes his own mistake and repents for what he has attempted. Fortunately his captor is basically good-natured and kindhearted. He gets washed, combed. fed and finally let off. Roger’s good sense is roused. He is overwhelmed with gratitude and thankfulness , He wants to say much to his deliverer , But he can say hardly anything but simply ‘Thank you Ma’am’ and departs. The way of his departure bears out his basic good nature.
Q.11 Why did Roger not try to run away later although he had an opportunity to do so?
Ans While trying to snatch the purse of Mrs Jones, Roger slipped and was caught by her. She did not threaten him police action. Instead of handing him over to the police Mrs Jones treated Roger with motherly affection. She noticed that the face of the boy was dirty. He had been deprived of parental care. She then decided to take him to her house, wash him and feed him. Like his mother she did not get angry with him to learn he needed money to buy a pair of blue suede shoes. Instead she said that he would have asked her some money to get those shoes.
On hearing such words Roger was perplexed. Her motherly affection and treatment made him realize that instead of doing any harm to him or getting him arrested somehow, Mrs Jones would do beneficial to him. Roger got many chances to escape. But he preferred to honour her a trust. From this realisation Roger did not want to make [170 words) dash for the open door.
Q.12 What happened to Mrs Luella Bates Washington Jones when she was walking alone at night? [6]
Ans Mrs Luella Bates Washington Jones came out on the road after her services at a hotel beauty- shop around eleven o’clock at night. She was walking alone with a heavy pocketbook. The pocket book had a long strap and she carried it slung across her shoulder. All of a sudden a boy came running behind her. The boy tried to snatch her purse. The strap broke with the single tug the boy gave it from behind.
The purse contained everything in it except hammer and nails. Soithad considerable weight. The weight of the purse combined with the boy’s weight caused the boy to lose his balance. The boy fell on his back on the sidewalk. Before dragging him to her house she held him tightly and made him to stoop and pick up her purse. [135 words ]
Q 13 “Then I won’t turn you loose,” said the woman. She did not release him.-Whom didn’t the woman release and why?
Ans The woman did not release Roger who had snatched her purse, free.
When the woman was walking along the road alone at around eleven o’clock at night a boy came stealthily to give the purse a tug from behind and carry it away. But his mission was not fulfilled. He fell down on the pavement and was caught redhanded by the woman. She held the boy tightly so that he could not run away. The woman wanted to rectify him by showeing her tendency and motherly affection.
For that reason the woman dragged him to her house. She wanted to know his motive. The woman asked him if he would run away if she turned him loose. At this the boy admitted frankly that there was no doubt about it. When the woman understood his ulterior motive, she resolved not to let him. She decided to take him to her house to amend him through motherly care and affection. That’s why [166 words ] she did not set him free.
Q.14 Whom should we blame for Roger’s offence ? Or, Would you consider Roger as a criminal ?
ns It is clear in the beginning of the story that Roger is a teenager who tried to snatch the purse of Mrs Jones. Attempting to snatch her purse is perhaps his first offence because from the story we do not get any evidence of his committing such offences before. The motive behind his offence is also very flimsy .
He needs money to buy a pair of blue suede shoes. His vain attempt to snatch the purse of Mrs Jones also bespeaks of his inexperience in the job of stealing. Rather he is innocent and commits that offence only to satisfy his juvenile yearning for a pair of costly blue suede shoes. Instead of blaming the boy we should blame the lure of commercialism for leading such young boys like Roger astray. [131 words)
Q.15 Did the boy in the story ‘Thank You Ma’am’ undergo any changes? Cite examples to support your answer. [6]
Ans The boy in the story ‘Thank You Ma’am’ was a, teenager, Roger. He attempted to snatch the purse of Mrs Jones but in vain. He was readily caught by Mrs Jones. It is evident from the story that he is not a professional snatcher. After having motherly affection of Mrs Jones the boy did undergo certain changes. These were evident from his behaviour and some utterances.
When Mrs Jones told him that he should have asked her for some money to satisfy his juvenile yearning by buying a pair of costly blue suede shoes without snatching her bag that way, he was perplexed. He looked at her with a sense of awe. The door was open. He could take this opportunity to run away. But he did not do so. When the woman went behind the screen leaving her purse before him he wanted not to be mistrusted.
He sat on the far side of the room so that he could be clearly visible by the woman. When the woman gave him ten dollars and advised him to behave himself he was full of gratitude to her. He was so much moved by the woman’s kind words and motherly affection that he was speechless. He wanted to say much to her to express his gratitude but could not do so as Mrs Jones shut the door abruptly. (227 words)
Q.16 What picture of society do you get from the short story, ‘Thank You Ma’am’?] [6]
Ans The writer, Langston Hughes was actually aware of the racial problems, poverty and social inequalities in which the Americans especially the Negro people lived. His main concern was to uplift the people whose strength, struggling attitude, courage and humour were absolutely necesary for social and economic development of America.
In the story we see that Roger, a poverty-stricken little boy has no one at home to bring him up. He is unfed even at eleven o’clock at night. Mrs Jones is a working lady. She has to work hard to earn her livelihood. Her past life was not soothing for her. Though she is to lead her life through hardships, she has the virtues of a human being to the truest sense of the term. In fact, she is a representative of her class. In this story diversified nature of American culture is vividly reflected.
Q.17 Do you need somebody to go to the store, asked the boy, “may be to get some milk or something?”-To whom did the speaker say this? What did the person spoken to give the boy to eat? What did she say during their eating? [1+2+3=6]
Ans The boy said this to Mrs Jones.
The woman made cocoa drink out of the canned milk and offered it to the boy. She also heated some lima beans and ham she had in the icebox. Then she arranged the table and gave it to the boy to eat as supper.
During their taking supper the woman did not ask the boy anything about his dwelling place and the folks at home. Instead, when they ate, she told him about her job in a hotel beauty-shop that stayed open late. She also let him know how she had to deal with a number of othet women, blondes and Spanish people too. Then she cut him a half of ten-cent cake addressing him as her son. She also asked him to eat some more. [133 words]
Q.18 “And he did not want to be mistrusted now.” Who is referred to as ‘he’? Why did ‘he’ not want to be mistrusted though he could haveeasily fled from the house of Mrs. Jones?
[1+5=6]
Ans Here ‘he’ refers to Roger, a little boy in the short story ‘Thank You Ma’am’.
The short story ‘Thank You Ma’am’ by Langston Hughes is based on the transformation of a little boy into an honest man. While trying to snatch a fatty purse from a lone lady on the way at might, the little boy was caught and taken home by Mrs Jones. The little boy was afraid of being handed over to the police or sent to jail for the mischief committed. The lady, however, showed her intention to wash his unclean, dirty face.
By this time the boy had understood that the lady had no intention to put him into jail. Rather the lady reposed her absolute faith in him by leaving him alone in the room with her purse before his nose. The boy could have easily escaped with the purse. But he did not like to be mistrusted any more as changes began to trickle in him. This shows how kindness and belief can change a man. [172 words]
Q.19 Relate the moral of the story ‘Thank You Ma’am’.
Ans The main theme of the short story ‘Thank You Ma’am’ by Langston Hughes is very simple but forceful. It speaks of an elderly woman who catches a poverty-stricken little boy who attempts to snatch away her purse to collect money to buy a pair of costly blue suede shoes which he absolutely needed. But the lady did neither inform the police of this nor hand over the little boy to the police.
Instead she took him home, provided him with food and money to satisfy his want. Thus the positive and kind attitude of the lady paved the way to transform the boy into an honest person. The moral of the story lies in its consequences of events. It shows how trust, understanding and fellow-feeling can rectify a person which law and order cannot. (134 words ]
20 “How did Mrs Jones catch hold of the boy while attempting to snatch her purse? [6]
Ans Mrs Luella Bates Washington Jones, an elderly woman in the short story ‘Thank You Ma’am’ was returning alone from her daily work in a hotel beauty-shop at night. The hotel beauty-shop remained open till late night. As she was walking alone a boy came running behind her and tried to snatch her purse. But the boy lost his balance because the purse was heavy. He fell on his back on the pavement. Mrs Jones quickly moved forward to the boy and picked him up by his shirt so that he couldn’t escape. She shook him until his teeth almost rattled out of fear. (102 words ]
Q.21 “Eat some more, son.”-Who said this/ Who is the speaker? To whom was it said? What is offered by the speaker to the listener? What feature/picture of the speaker’s character is revealed here?
Ans Mrs Jones, the central character in the short story “Thank You Ma’am’ said this.
She said this to a young boy who tried to snatch her big purse.
•Mrs Jones brought the little boy, home. She understood that the boy was hungry. So she made up her mind to provide him with some food to eat. She heated some edible whitish beans known as butter beans or lima beans and some ham kept in the icebox. She also prepared some cocoa out of canned milk. When Roger had consumed all these, Mrs Jones offered him a half of her ten-cent cake and told him the quoted words.
The motherly feelings of Mrs Jones is revealed in this line. She treated Roger with motherly affection and hospitality. [126 words]
Q.22 Write a short note on the dialect and expressions used by Hughes in his short story [6] ‘Thank You Ma’am’.
Ans A dialect is a combination of words and phrases used in a language. It expresses the regional variety of a language. The author uses the dialect of a particular region and tribe to give authenticity to his story. In the short story ‘Thank You Ma’am’ Hughes uses the dialect of the Black Americans i.e, Negros. His style is simple but the dialect seems to be difficult to make out. However, such uses show that the author is well acquainted with poor people of his country.
He is also acquainted with the way they speak. Some examples of this type are ‘ain’t (aren’t); ‘gonna’ (going to), ‘could of’ (could have); ‘fixus’ (prepare us); ‘you set down’ (you sit down), ‘late as it be’ (late as it is); ‘I didn’t aim to (1 did not intend to) etc. There are also a number of idioms and expressions that are purely regional. For example, ‘make a dash for it’ is an idiom that means ‘to run away’.
There are other expressions like, ‘I got a great mind to’ (I should/I intend) ‘get through it’ (finish), ‘took care’ (was careful), ‘set the table’ (put the dishes and glasses in order). The use of such expressions shows that Hughes wanted to be authentic in his presentation of characters and in the portrayal of the society he wants to project in his short story (i.e., Black America, Negros). [192 words]
Q.23 “The woman did not watch the boy to see if he was going to run now.” – Why didn’t the woman watch the boy any more? [6]
Ans Mrs Jones could understand that Roger was ashamed of his misdeed. She did not like to distrust him anymore. She felt that Roger would never betray her belief. So she did not feel it necessary to inform the police of his misdeeds. On the other hand, she left her purse on her bed when she went to cook food for the boy.
This is a new experience for Roger. Probably for the first time a man or a woman reposed so much faith in him. Certain changes in the boy was visible. His gesture suggests that he has got rid of any kind of temptation. The boy was seeking redemption. So he did not want to be mistrusted. Mrs Jones could easily read the mind of a person. She realised that the boy was no more a boy to steal or deceive others. So the lady did not keep her watch on the boy anymore while cooking. [157 words ]
Q.24 Justify the title of the short story ‘Thank You Ma’am’.
Ans The short story of Langston Hughes ‘Thank You Ma’am’ is based on the external conflict between an elderly woman, Mrs Luella Bates Washington Jones and a young snatcher boy Roger. The boy wanted to snatch the purse of
Mrs Jones but lost his balance and fell down and was caught red handed by Mrs Jones. Instead of handing him over to the police the lady took him to her house and tended him affectionately.
The boy was overwhelmed by the sympathy of the lady. He showed his deep gratitude when the lady fed him and gave him money to buy his long cherished Swede shoes. He wanted to express his gratitude but such intense were his emotions that expression fell short of his emotion. He could only utter the words ‘Thank you’. So the phrase “Thank You Ma’am” adequately expresses the overwhelming feelings of a transformed boy. Hence the title is apt. [150 words ]
Q.25 Summarise the conversation between Mrs Jones and the boy on the way till they reached the home of Mrs Jones.
Ans At first Mrs Jones firmly gripped the boy by his shirt front and began to drag him behind her. She expressed her desire to wash his face because it looked dirty. She then asked the boy if he was hungry.
Roger replied in the negative and requested her to loose her grip, but the lady did not agree. She rather asked if she had bothered him while turning round the corner of the road. The boy replied that it was not so. Then Mrs Jones cautioned him that if the boy thought that his contact with her would not last long, he was mistaken. She also said that the boy would certainly remember her after they completed with this interaction. [120 words ]
Q.26 Mrs Jones kicked the boy, held him by the shirt, dragged him along the road. Do you think she was unkind to the boy? Givereasons for your opinion.
Ans Mrs Jones, the pivotal character in the short story ‘Thank You Ma’am’ at first appeared to be a stern lady. She was strong and alert. She quickly reacted to the act of snatching her purse. She kicked the boy and caught hold of him by his shirt front, shook him violently and almost dragged him to her home. But later we see that Mrs Jones was an extremely kind-hearted lady. She was very affectionate to the boy in spite of his mischief.
She took the boy home to wash his dirty face but actually she wanted to purify him of his sins. She knew that poverty is the reason of almost all sins and pain of hunger is the strongest. That is why she gave food to the boy and ten dollars to buy his coveted Suede shoes. The boy was moved by her kindness and got changed into a new person. Thus Mrs Jones was apparently harsh in her behaviour but actually she was a kindhearted lady. [168 words]
Q 27 How did Mrs Jones behave with Roger when she arrived home with him?
Ans Mrs Jones almost dragged Roger into her house. They got into a furnished room with a large kitchen. Then Mrs Jones asked Roger to wash his face and offered him a clean towel. Roger was quite afraid but soon his fear was dispelled by the kind words of the lady. The lady told the boy that she herself had to suffer a lot in her youth. She offered food to the boy. She shared her present working experiences with the boy so that the boy would be quite easy with her.
The boy by this time became quite familiar with the lady and did not intend to flee from the room. The lady advised the boy not to commit such misdeed again. Finally, when she gave him ten dollars to buy the coveted blue Suede shoes, the boy was overwhelmed. He sincerely wanted to express his gratitude but could barely managed to utter ‘Thank you’. Thus the lady rectified Roger by playing the role of a perfect guide. [167 words]
28 I would teach you right from wrong.” -Who said this, to whom and when? How did the speaker transform the person spoken to here? [1+1+1+3=6]
Ans -In the story ‘Thank You Ma’am’ Mrs Luella Bates Washington Jones said this. She said this to Roger, who tried to snatch away her purse.
The young boy, Roger wanted to buy a pair of blue Suede shoes. He was hungry too. Out of desperation he tried to snatch the purse of Mrs Jones. Mrs Jones realised that he was not a born criminal. She tried to rectify him-by showing sympathy for him, giving him some food. She also entrusted him by leaving her purse with him and keeping the front door open.
Roger was deeply affected by the kind treatment of Mrs Jones. He did not like to be mistrusted again. Finally when Mrs Jones gave him ten dollars to buy his coveted shoes, Roger was overwhelmed. He is now a changed person. In this way Mrs Jones transformed Roger to a right person. [146 words ]
Q.29 “You ought to be my son, I would teach you right from wrong.”-Who speaks and to whom? Did the speaker manage to teach what he/she claimed to teach? Give reasons for youranswer. [XII 17] [2+4]
Ans The speaker is Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones in the story ‘Thank You Ma’am’. She speaks to Roger, the young boy who tried to snatch away her bag.
The young boy, Roger wanted to buy a pair of blue suede shoes. He was very hungry too. Out of desperation he tried to snatch away the purse of Mrs. Jones. Mrs. Jones realized that Roger was not a born criminal. So she decided to teach him so that he might be brought to the right path. So she tried to rectify him.
She took him home, sympathized with his needs, gave him food and shared her own story with him. She also entrusted him by keeping the front door open and leaving her purse with him. Roger was deeply affected by the kind words and attitude of Mrs. Jones. He did not want to be mistrusted again. Finally, when Mrs. Jones gave him ten dollars to buy his coveted shoes, Roger was overwhelmed. He wanted to express his gratitude but could barely manage to utter ‘Thank you’. Thus Mrs. Jones by her goodwill was able to transform Roger into a better human being. [192 words]
****************************
READ MORE…
Thank You Madam Questions and Answers Thank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and Answers
Thank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and Answers
Thank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and Answers
Thank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and Answers
Thank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and Answers
Thank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and Answers
Thank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and AnswersThank You Madam Questions and Answers