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Is "Thank You, M'am" a good story choice when critically analyzing themes?

You are being asked to think critically about the idea of theme in the story of your choice. In my opinion, “Thank You, M’am” by Langston Hughes is a good choice for this type of essay. There are a number of themes to think about in this story including forgiveness, trust, and empathy. Hughes expresses each of these themes, as supported by text evidence, in the setting of poverty and deprivation in Harlem.


The story of a young man stealing an older woman’s pocketbook could have been presented in a variety of ways, but Hughes chooses to have the victim become the benevolent teacher, while the perpetrator becomes the contrite student. Only because Mrs. Jones places her trust in Roger, does he learn the lessons that develop as the themes of the story.


By thinking carefully about Mrs. Jones' actions, and Roger’s reactions, you will have the material needed to write a critical essay about the theme/themes in the story.

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