Story Elements
This boy tries to steal Mrs. Jones’s purse.
Who is Roger?
This woman catches Roger and takes him home.
Who is Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones?
Mrs. Jones’s meal and gift develop this theme: caring for someone can encourage better choices.
What is the power of kindness? A theme should express a message, not only name a topic.
In the story, a “purse” is this kind of object.
What is a bag used to carry money and personal belongings?
The characters’ spoken conversation is this literary technique.
What is dialogue?
This item is what Roger wants to buy.
What are blue suede shoes?
Mrs. Jones feeds Roger and has him wash his face. These actions reveal this caring trait.
What is compassion? Accept kindness or concern, supported by her actions.
Identify one action that supports the theme that people deserve a chance to change.
What is Mrs. Jones trusting Roger near her purse, feeding him, or giving him money? Explain how the action gives him a chance.
Mrs. Jones says Roger could have asked for what he wanted. Here, “could have” points to this kind of choice.
What is an alternative action he might have taken in the past?
The narrator tells the story using character names and “he” or “she.” This is the narrative perspective.
What is third-person narration?
This attempted action begins the central conflict.
What is Roger’s attempt to steal Mrs. Jones’s purse?
Roger stays when he has a chance to escape. This suggests he wants to earn this.
What is Mrs. Jones’s trust? He wants her to view him as trustworthy.
Explain why “stealing” alone is a topic rather than a complete theme.
A topic names a subject. A theme states a message about that subject, such as: Compassion can encourage someone to reconsider dishonest choices.
In the description of Mrs. Jones, “large” refers to this physical quality.
What is size? The surrounding description helps establish her physical presence.
Mrs. Jones’s actions reveal her personality. This is this type of characterization.
What is indirect characterization? Readers infer traits from what she does.
These two places form the main setting of the story.
What are a street late at night and Mrs. Jones’s room in a boarding house?
Roger offers to go to the store. Infer one reason he makes this offer.
What is a desire to help or show that he can be trusted? Support the inference with his changed behavior.
Connect Roger’s decision to stay with a theme about trust.
Mrs. Jones gives him an opportunity to act honestly, and he stays. Trust can encourage responsible behavior.
Mrs. Jones describes having wanted things she could not get. Explain “could not get” in this context.
What is being unable to obtain something she wanted? Her statement helps her connect with Roger’s experience.
Explain how the mood changes between the attempted theft and the meal.
The mood shifts from tension and fear toward comfort and trust as Mrs. Jones cares for Roger. Accept a supported description of the shift.
At the end, Mrs. Jones gives Roger this amount of money, but he struggles to express his gratitude.
What is ten dollars? The ending suggests that her kindness affects him deeply.
Explain how Roger changes during the encounter, using one action from the beginning and one later action.
At first he tries to steal. Later he stays and offers to help. His behavior suggests growing respect and a desire to earn trust. Accept other supported interpretations.
Use two different events to support a theme about compassion and accountability.
Mrs. Jones confronts Roger’s attempted theft, then feeds him and gives him money. Holding someone accountable while showing compassion may encourage change.
Explain the meaning of “ma’am” and how the word helps shape the title’s tone.
“Ma’am” is a respectful way to address a woman. In the title, it suggests polite gratitude and Roger’s respect for Mrs. Jones.
Hughes ends with Roger unable to say all he wants to say. Explain one effect of this ending.
It emphasizes the depth of Roger’s gratitude and invites readers to infer how the encounter affects him. The story does not prove what he does afterward.