“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.
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.
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
How does characterization work?
• Look at the information in the text.
• Think: What do I learn about the
character?
Model: Remember the hallway story?
It’s your first day in school. You are nervous enough as it is when a big kid
comes down the hall and slams you with his backpack.
“Get out of the way,” the kid screams as if it was your fault. You’re in a
hurry to get to class, so you let this slide.
After lunch, you are at your locker when the guy from the hallway is headed
your way again. “Great,” you think only to realize he is coming to the locker
beside you.
“What is your problem?” he demands looking at you. You want to tell him to
mind his own business or maybe offer him a hug, but before you can get a
word out, he slams his locker door open and right into your shoulder.
“This is my hall and my school!” He screams. “As soon as you realize where
you are and what you’re doing you might make it to the end of the day in
one piece. Otherwise, you don’t want to be running in to me again!”
Setting
Place
Harlem, New York
Dark walkway
Mrs. Jones’ small flat
 One room: bedroom, kitchen, living room, bathroom
Time
Late at night
1950’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
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: Luella
Type of Indirect
Characterization
S- SAYS
T-THINKS
A-ACTS
A-APPEARANCE
R-RESPONSE
Example
Explanation
Characters
• Mrs. Luella Bates
Washington Jones
– Main: is involved in the
conflict
– Static: doesn’t
change
• Always caring and
strong
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