"Thank You M'am" Analysis

The setting of “Thank You M’am” is in the center of Harlem at about 11 O'clock at night. The elements that supports the setting is that since they were in a poor neighborhood there was a lot of violence and theft. When the the theft of Mrs. Jones’ purse, the strap immediately tears and Roger is thrown to the floor. this also symbolizes that since they lived in not such a wealth area Mrs. Jones can’t afford a sturdy purse. The setting of this short story is essential to the setting, because if they were in a wealthier neighborhood not much violence and theft would occur. The Characters were both Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones, and Roger. Mrs. Jones’ character was well rounded and dynamic. She was also a large strong woman. In the text it says that when Rogers tried to nab Mrs. Jones’ purse and he was flung straight back on his back, which symbolizes that she is a strong, muscular woman. Also mostly only large, tall women have large purses, which symbolizes that she is a large woman. Rogers on the other hand is a flat, static character. Two traits that this character holds is that he is weak, and his parents do not care for him much. An example of Rogers being weak is when he went to nab Mrs. Jones’ purse. Instead of taking it and running for his life he grab on to it, and a second later he was on the floor being kicked in his hind quarters, and being dragged to Mrs. Jones’ apartment. Also in the short story when Mrs. Jones asks where he lives, or where his parents are he never answered. In the short story “Thank You M’am,” the point of view is told in third-person. However the narrator is not telling us what the characters are thinking we have to assume that they are feeling scared, happy, or ecstatic. This is useful to make you come up with the theme of the story. The theme of this short story is not to judge people from their looks. This is what Roger did with Mrs. Jones. He thought that Mrs. Jones would be an easy target, but he was so wrong. When he