“Thank You, M’am”Short Story by Langston

Hughes

Objective• Through the study of complex plot

elements, the student will be able to explain characterization and demonstrate understanding by creating a visual representation of the types of characterization and STAR process.

Standards AddressedCommon Core• 9.RL.3 Analyze how complex

characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme.

• 9.RL.5 Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure a text, order events within it (e.g., parallel plots), and manipulate time (e.g., pacing, flashbacks) create such effects as mystery, tension, or surprise.

• SPI 3001.8.4 Identify and analyze how the author reveals character (i.e., what the author tells us, what the other characters say about him or her, what the character does, what the character says, what the character thinks).

Characterization• Based on your prior knowledge and

parts of the word, what is characterization?

• Characterization is the way in which an author reveals a character.

• We characterize people all the time. Think about a person you would never trust. Why do you not trust him or her?

Characterization• Characterization is what an

author uses to reveal or describe character traits

• There are two ways an author can develop character:– Direct characterization– Indirect characterization

Direct Characterization• The writer makes direct statements

about a character's personality and tells what the character is like.

• For example:– If the narrator in “Thank You, Ma’m”

told us that Mrs. Jones was tough, nurturing, and generous.

Indirect Characterization• the writer reveals information about

a character and his personality through:– The character's words– The character’s thoughts– The character’s actions– The character’s appearance– How other characters respond to them:

what they say or think about them

Characterization Acronym

• S- says• T- thinks• A- acts or appears • R- react or respond

Direct or Indirect?• A. Julie owned a multitude of outfits and

accessories, and it always took her forever to decide which combination might impress Trent. As usual, she called her sister several times for advice. After doing so, Julie decided to give the navy blue skirt with the white sweater a try.

Direct or Indirect?• B. Julie held up six different outfits in front of

the mirror and pondered which would go best with her navy blue shoes, pastel eye shadow and the diamond earrings she’d already procured from her overflowing vanity. After ninety minutes of mixing and matching, and cell-phoning her sister three times for advice, Julie finally made up her mind. She’d give the navy blue skirt and white sweater a try, hoping Trent would love it.

Story Preview Thinking only of the title of the story, what do you

think this story is likely to be about? Look at the pictures. Do the pictures give any

additional information about what might happen in the story?

Look for any text that stands out. Maybe a quote somewhere on the page. How might that fit into your story prediction?

Scan for character information for the next 30 seconds. What characters did you find? What do you know about them?

What hints about the setting have you found?

What are we doing with this story?

• Pre-read: familiarize yourself with language, terms, pictures, etc.

• Read• After-Reading: – Enactment – Analyzation

Pre-Reading

To help us understand the text, readers can benefit from

previewing a text and making predictions like we did.

Who is Langston Hughes?

• Name: James Langston Hughes

• Lived: February 1, 1902 – May 22, 1967

• Considered one of the earliest innovators of the literary art form “jazz poetry”

• Best known for his work during the Harlem Renaissance

Langston’s Philosophies• Tried to depict the real lives of blacks in the

lower social-economic class• Criticized the divisions and prejudices based on

skin color within the black community• Stressed theme "black is beautiful" when

exploring the black human condition in a variety of depths

• Primary concern was the uplift of his people, whose strengths, resiliency, courage, and humor he wanted to record as part of the general American experience

Harlem, New York• What do you think

of when you think of Harlem?

• Harlem

– Neighborhood in New York City, 1920s

VOCABULARY

Presentable• Presentable:

– respectable, fit to be seen, acceptable

– Not dressed in blue jeans, tee shirt, dirty

• “You might run that comb through your hair so you will look presentable.”

Mistrusted• distrust, doubt,

suspect, be wary of, be afraid of

• “And he did not want to be mistrusted now.”

Latching• Clutching. grasping.

Holding, grabbing, seizing

• “…do not make the mistake of latching onto my pocketbook nor nobody else’s …”

Barren• Unproductive, sterile,

desolate, bleak, infertile, unfruitful, inhospitable

• “…he couldn’t even say that as he turned at the foot of the barren stoop and looked up at the large woman in the door.”

Blue Suede Shoes

During Reading

As you read, think about what you learn about each character as the story

progresses.

How does characterization work?

• Look at the information in the text.• List major events in chronological

order.• Think: What do I learn about the

character?

After-Reading Activities• examine, study,

scrutinize, consider, evaluate

• What do we know about the story?

SettingPlace

Harlem, New YorkDark walkwayMrs. Jones’ small flat

One room: bedroom, kitchen, living room, bathroom

TimeLate at night1950’s

Clues: Blue Suede shoes

Conflict• External–Man vs. Man• Roger steals Mrs. Jones’ purse

• Internal–Man vs. Self• Roger wants to run away but doesn’t want to

disappoint Mrs. Jones

Theme• Right vs. wrong• Forgiveness• Restitution

Reading Questions–What do you think Roger will do next? – Do you think Mrs. Jones successfully

taught Roger that stealing is wrong? – Do you think that Mrs. Jones has

influenced Roger’s life in a positive way? – Do you think that Roger will lead a

“straight” life in the future?

Look at Characterization• In your own words, what is

characterization?• In your own words, what is indirect

characterization?• In your own words, what is direct

characterization?

Thank You M’am: LuellaType of Indirect Characterization

Example Explanation

S- SAYS

T-THINKS

A-ACTS

A-APPEARANCE

R-RESPONSE

Characters• Mrs. Luella Bates

Washington Jones– Main: is involved in

the conflict– Static: doesn’t

change• Always caring and

strong

Thank You Ma’m: RogerType of Indirect Characterization

Example Explanation

S- SAYS

T-THINKS

A-ACTS

A-APPEARANCE

R-RESPONSE

Characters• Roger

– Main: conflict revolves around him• Both Internal and

External Conflict– Dynamic: changes

• Starts out a thief and liar

• Wants Mrs. Jones to trust him at the end