“Thank You M’am” by Langston Hughes. The story is about a young boy named Roger who tries to steal the purse of an elderly woman named Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones, but fails and gets caught by her. Instead of calling the police or scolding him, Mrs. Jones takes him to her home, feeds him, gives him money to buy a pair of shoes he wanted, and teaches him about respect and kindness. She also tells him about her struggles and mistakes when she was young, and shows him compassion and understanding.
One possible theme of the story is that everyone deserves a second chance and an opportunity to learn from their errors. Mrs. Jones does not judge Roger harshly for his attempted theft but rather sees him as a human being who needs guidance and care. She also shares her own experiences of wanting things she could not get and making poor choices, implying that she can relate to Roger’s situation and does not look down on him. She gives him a chance to redeem himself and to change his behavior for the better.
Another possible theme of the story is that trust and dignity are essential for building positive relationships and self-esteem. Mrs. Jones treats Roger with respect and generosity, even though he tried to rob her. She does not humiliate him or lecture him, but rather talks to him as an equal and listens to his needs and desires. She also trusts him enough to leave him alone in her apartment and to give him money without expecting anything in return. By doing so, she shows him that she values him as a person and believes in his potential. Roger, in turn, feels grateful and ashamed of his actions and wants to earn her trust and approval. He also wishes he could express his appreciation more eloquently, suggesting that he has gained a sense of self-worth and dignity from Mrs. Jones’s kindness. i fixed it so ima help you out The correct answer is C. People are capable of changing. This theme reflects the main message of the story, which is that everyone deserves a second chance and an opportunity to learn from their errors. The other options are not themes of the story, but rather topics or issues that are not directly related to the plot or the characters. For example, option A. People are fearful of crime is not a theme because the story does not focus on the fear of crime, but rather on the compassion and understanding between Mrs. Jones and Roger. Option B. Shoes should be made available to all children is not a theme because the story does not make a statement about the availability of shoes or the needs of children, but rather uses the shoes as a symbol of Roger’s desire and Mrs. Jones’s generosity. Option D. The community should help families is not a theme because the story does not show how the community helps or fails to help families, but rather focuses on the individual relationship between Mrs. Jones and Roger.