Question

After that the woman said, “Pick up my pocketbook, boy, and give it here.” She still held him. But she bent down enough to permit him to stoop and pick up her purse. Then she said, “Now ain't you ashamed of yourself?” Firmly gripped by his shirt front, the boy said, “Yes'm.” What does the boy's initial response to Mrs. Jones tell us about him? A. He's amazed at how strong she is. B. He always uses good manners. C. He definitely knows right from wrong. D. He's too afraid of her to say anything else.

Answer 1

C

Step-by-step explanation:

Feeling shame requires that you have some awareness in the wrong of your actions

Answer 2

I also believe the best answer to be letter C. He definitely knows right from wrong.

Step-by-step explanation:

In Langston Hughes' "Thank You, Ma'am", Roger is a poor teenager who is neglected at home. Wishing to buy himself some new sneakers, he tries to steal Mrs. Luella Jones' purse. The purse is heavier than he thought, throwing him off balance. The woman, who is described by the narrator as large, catches him. When she asks him if he isn't ashamed, Roger instantly answers that he is. If he didn't see any wrong in what he had attempted to do, he wouldn't feel ashamed. He chose to do a bad deed for he knew he would probably never get the money otherwise. Thus, he knows right from wrong, but simply made a bad choice.

To his surprise, Mrs. Luella drags him to her house, forces him to wash his face and comb his hair, and then feeds him. Finally, she gives him the money he needs to buy the shoes. Mrs. Luella had a difficult childhood herself, so she is capable of understanding where he's coming from and why he's making bad choices for himself. She chooses to be kind - even though quite a bit bossy - to him so that he'll learn his lesson.