Final answer:
A thesis statement for 'Ladies and Gentlemen' by Joyce Carol Oates concerning the idea that 'greediness can cause harm to loved ones' might focus on how Oates portrays the protagonist's downfall due to greed and uses symbolism to reinforce this theme.
Step-by-step explanation:
A thesis statement for Joyce Carol Oates' story "Ladies and Gentlemen" which centers around the central idea that 'greediness can cause harm to loved ones' could be articulated as follows:
"In 'Ladies and Gentlemen' by Joyce Carol Oates, the destructive nature of greed is exemplified through the protagonist's downfall, illustrating that the relentless pursuit of wealth often leads to the detriment of personal relationships and the corrupting of one's moral compass, a concept Oates reinforces through the literary technique of symbolism."
This thesis statement addresses the central idea of harm caused by greediness, while also acknowledging the use of symbolism as a literary technique to deepen the reader's understanding of the theme.