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

2. Objective
Through the study of complex plot elements, the student will be able to explain characterization and demonstrate understanding by creating a visual representation of the types of characterization and STAR process.

3. Standards Addressed Common Core
9.RL.3 Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme.
9.RL.5 Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure a text, order events within it (e.g., parallel plots), and manipulate time (e.g., pacing, flashbacks) create such effects as mystery, tension, or surprise.
SPI Identify and analyze how the author reveals character (i.e., what the author tells us, what the other characters say about him or her, what the character does, what the character says, what the character thinks).

4. Characterization
Based on your prior knowledge and parts of the word, what is 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?

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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

8. Characterization Acronym
S- says
T- thinks
A- acts or appears
R- react or respond

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. Story Preview
Thinking only of the title of the story, what do you think this story is likely to be about?
Look at the pictures. Do the pictures give any additional information about what might happen in the story?
Look for any text that stands out. Maybe a quote somewhere on the page. How might that fit into your story prediction?
Scan for character information for the next 30 seconds. What characters did you find? What do you know about them?
What hints about the setting have you found?

12. What are we doing with this story?
Pre-read: familiarize yourself with language, terms, pictures, etc.
Read
After-Reading:
Enactment
Analyzation

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

14. 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

15. 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

16. Harlem, New York What do you think of when you think of Harlem? Harlem
Neighborhood in New York City, 1920s

17. Vocabulary

18. 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.”

19. Mistrusted distrust, doubt, suspect, be wary of, be afraid of
“And he did not want to be mistrusted now.”

20. Latching Clutching. grasping. Holding, grabbing, seizing
“…do not make the mistake of latching onto my pocketbook nor nobody else’s …”

21. 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.”

22. Blue Suede Shoes

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

24. How does characterization work?
Look at the information in the text.
List major events in chronological order.
Think: What do I learn about the character?

25. After-Reading Activities
examine, study, scrutinize, consider, evaluate
What do we know about the story?

26. 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

27. Conflict External Internal Man vs. Man Man vs. Self
Roger steals Mrs. Jones’ purse
Internal
Man vs. Self
Roger wants to run away but doesn’t want to disappoint Mrs. Jones

28. Theme
Right vs. wrong
Forgiveness
Restitution

29. Reading Questions What do you think Roger will do next?
Do you think Mrs. Jones successfully taught Roger that stealing is wrong?
Do you think that Mrs. Jones has influenced Roger’s life in a positive way?
Do you think that Roger will lead a “straight” life in the future?

30. 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?

31. Thank You M’am: Luella Type of Indirect Characterization Example
Explanation
S- SAYS
T-THINKS
A-ACTS
A-APPEARANCE
R-RESPONSE

32. Characters Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones
Main: is involved in the conflict
Static: doesn’t change
Always caring and strong

33. Thank You Ma’m: Roger Type of Indirect Characterization Example
Explanation
S- SAYS
T-THINKS
A-ACTS
A-APPEARANCE
R-RESPONSE

34. Characters Roger Main: conflict revolves around him Dynamic: changes
Both Internal and External Conflict
Dynamic: changes
Starts out a thief and liar
Wants Mrs. Jones to trust him at the end