Short Story by Langston Hughes “Thank You, M’am” Short Story by Langston Hughes

Picture This: 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!” Do you like this guy? Why or why not?

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

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.

Pre-Reading To help us understand the text, readers can benefit from previewing a text and making predictions like we did.

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

During Reading As you read, think about what you learn about each character as the story progresses.

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 Time 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

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?