1. Please have out your “Thank You, Ma’am” questions to be stamped, then start on your Tuesday Bell Ringer.

2. Guess what these words mean based on how they are used in context
Guess what these words mean based on how they are used in context. Once you have made your guess, look the word up to see if you are correct!
1. When the haughty Student Council President ignored the students at the annual fundraiser, the teacher advisor gave him a stern lecture.
Bell Ringer
2. Because the negotiator handled the hostage situation with aplomb, the kidnapper released everyone without harm.
Someone who is haughty is arrogant and full of pride. They think that they are superior and look down on others.
If you do something with aplomb, you do it with a strong belief in yourself and while remaining calm under pressure.
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3. Review “Thank You, Ma’am” Answers
With a red pen make the corrections to your answers.
Your answers, with corrections, will be collected when we are done.

4. 1. Look at the first sentence in the story
1. Look at the first sentence in the story. Symbolically, what’s interesting about Hughes’ description of Mrs. Jones’ purse?
In the first line, Mrs. Jones’ purse is described as having “everything in it but hammer and nails.” This is interesting because she’s a woman who has everything that’s needed in life, including compassion for Roger and generosity. She doesn’t need a hammer to drive home her point to Roger; compassion and grace will get the job done. Also, this description should make us wonder who uses those tools, a hammer and nails? The answer is, of course, a carpenter, someone who builds or repairs things. In just this way, Mrs. Jones will be a carpenter of Roger; she’ll help build this young man into a stronger, more-moral version of himself.

5. 2. Mrs. Jones is a woman of modest income
2. Mrs. Jones is a woman of modest income. Give 3 pieces of evidence from the text that show the $10 she gives Roger is actually quite a sacrifice.
First, she has to work late at night at a low-paying job washing women’s hair.
Second, she rents a room in a boarding house instead of having a house of her own.
Third, her dialect reflects a lack of formal education, as in “You a lie!”
Other examples include:
She’s walking home very late at night instead of driving or taking a taxicab.
Her evening meal is relatively simple and consists of leftovers.
Her dessert, half of a ten-cent cake, gives an interesting scale by which to judge the $10. The shoes are expensive for the time.

6. 3. When Roger enters Mrs. Jones’ room, she leaves the door open. Why
3. When Roger enters Mrs. Jones’ room, she leaves the door open. Why? Dig deep to give meaning to this element of the scene.
It’s clear that she leaves the door open to give Roger an escape route. He’s not to be held there against his will; it’s his choice whether he wants to stay and eat or flee. Symbolically, this equates to free will. We all have the freedom to decide how we’ll live our lives, whether we’ll make the right choices or travel a darker path. The open door could also symbolize her hospitality and the fact that her heart – and her home – are open to the boy.

7. 4. Roger’s face is dirty and he washes up at Mrs. Jones’ sink
4. Roger’s face is dirty and he washes up at Mrs. Jones’ sink. What point is Hughes trying t make with the extended elements involving Roger’s dirty face and the warm water?
The dirt on his face represents the sinful life he’s been living before meeting Mrs. Jones. She gives him the opportunity to literally clean his face, but there’s also a figurative cleansing of his soul happening here. The water is also warm, just as Mrs. Jones’ spirit is a warm, welcoming one. Roger has been forever-changed by his interactions with Mrs. Jones.

8. 5. Physically describe both Mrs. Jones and Roger
5. Physically describe both Mrs. Jones and Roger. What’s interesting about the contrast? What point might Hughes be trying to make here?
Mrs. Jones is older and “large,” a heavy-set woman. Mrs. Jones’ spirit and will are large. She is wise and ready/able to change the world. Roger is young, 14 or 15, and very thin. Roger’s will, like his body, is thin and easily broken. Mrs. Jones gives some of her strength to the “frail and willow-wild” boy that night. Appearances, Hughes seems to be saying, are deceiving and there’s much more to all of us than is visible from the surface. A teen thug is actually a nice kid looking for a little nurturing. A tired middle-aged woman is actually a saint in disguise.

9. 6. Explain how Mrs. Jones fulfills the role of a temporary mother to Roger. Be sure to include evidence from the text to support your answer.
Roger doesn’t have a strong parental influence, as evidenced by the fact that no one’s home to take care of him at 11 o’clock at night. This teen should be at home asleep with caring parents in the house, yet he’s running loose on the streets trying to rob an older woman. Mrs. Jones sets limits and reinforces correct moral behavior, just as a parent should. Early on, she says, “You ought to be my son. I would teach you right from wrong.” Later, as they are saying goodbye, she actually calls him, “son.” She also sacrifices on his behalf, giving him the $10. A good parent will provide what a child needs a little of what a child wants; Mrs. Jones does both of these things for Roger.

10. Turn in Questions to Turn-In Basket

11. Hooks for Literary Analysis
On the back of your handout, take notes on the following presentation.
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On the front of the handout are examples of different types of hooks that you can use for your future papers.

12. Hooks for Literary Analysis
Please get out a highlighter and a pen/pencil.
Look at the second handout, “Thank You, Ma’am” Introductory Paragraph Practice.
Let’s read the paragraph.
Notice that the paragraph has been broken up into 4 sections.
Highlight the words: Hook, Bridge, Summary, and Thesis
Number the words: 1. Hook, 2. Bridge, 3. Summary, 4. Thesis.
Using the hooks note page and the “Thank You, Ma’am” Introductory Paragraph Practice, as guidance, here is your assignment.
On a separate sheet of paper:
Using the four elements shown on the Introductory Paragraph Practice (hook, bridge, summary and thesis), write an introductory paragraph of your own. Choose a different theme from Hughes’ story and follow the pattern. Don’t worry; you don’t have to write the entire essay. You just need to write this one introductory paragraph.

13. Homework z Wed. Aug. 23 Thu. Aug. 31 Due Tomorrow
“Thank You, Ma’am” Introductory Paragraph
Thu. Aug. 31
Due Thursday, August 31st
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