characterization

1. Washing = symbolic purification of the spirit characterization Mrs. Jones tells Roger “wash his face” repeatedly (1). Hughes turns to characterization, symbolism and diction to emphasize his theme that compassion can change people’s lives. Mrs. LBWJ is offering to cleanse his face and his soul symbolism Mrs. Jones tells Roger he “could’ve asked [her ]for the money “ and then he washes his face (1). Roger has been purified and is a changed person diction Touches Rogers heart

2. Introductory Paragraph Some people will go out of their way to help those in need. Rarely will someone help a person who has wronged them , but there are exceptions. In his short story, “Thank You M’am,” Langston Hughes turns to characterization, symbolism and diction to emphasize his theme that compassion among strangers can change people’s lives for the better.

3. 2-chunk The authors uses water to show a symbolic baptism when Roger is transformed by Mrs. Jones’ kindness. After Roger tries to steal her purse, Mrs. Jones takes a hold of him and repeatedly asks him to “wash [his] face” (1). Symbolically, when an author has a character washed, a purification of the soul, much like a baptism, occurs within that character. By asking Roger to wash his face Mrs. Jones is offering not only to clean his face, but his humanity as well.Later in the story, Mrs. Jones tells Roger that he “could have asked [her]” for the money and only then does Hughes have Roger to wash his face (2). This extraordinary act of kindness touches Roger’s heart. The author has Roger wash his face at this moment to show the reader that Roger has been purified by her thoughtfulness and is now a changed person. Most people would not be as empathetic as Hughes’ character Mrs. Jones, but most people would be changed by generosity such as hers.