Welcome to “Thank You Ma’am Workbook Solution: ISC Rhapsody & Prism,” where we dive into the compelling narrative of ISC English Literature’s Rhapsody & Prism. In these pages, we unravel the essence of Langston Hughes’ “Thank You Ma’am” through meticulous workbook solutions. This post offers comprehensive answers to multiple-choice and contextual questions, deepening your understanding of this powerful short story. Meet Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones, the compassionate protagonist, and explore the nuances of character development and thematic exploration. Each question serves as a gateway to dissecting the text, urging readers to analyze subtle nuances and extract deeper meanings. Contextual inquiries broaden our canvas for exploration, encouraging critical engagement with socio-cultural issues and universal themes of empathy, redemption, and kindness. Through this examination, readers sharpen analytical skills and develop a profound appreciation for literary craftsmanship. Whether you are a student navigating ISC English Literature or an avid reader seeking to uncover the depths of Hughes’ storytelling, “ISC Rhapsody & Prism: Thank You Ma’am Workbook Solutions” promises valuable insights. Join us on this literary journey as we illuminate the path to understanding, one workbook solution at a time.
Table of Contents
Story Summary :
Plot in Detail
A large lady with a large purse, i.e., a working woman, was walking down a street at about 11 o’clock at night. A frail thin boy ran towards her to snatch her purse. He was a novice at stealing because he did not take into account the effect of the combined weight of his body and the bag that would cause him fall on his side with his legs in air making escape impossible.
The lady was strong, she kicked him on his backside (his blue-jeaned sitter), caught him by his collar and shook him hard. She forced him to pick up her purse. She asked him if he would run away if she released her grip. The boy replied in affirmation but she did not release him. She took a close look at him to see that he had a dirty face and nobody to care enough to make him wash his face. She decided to get him to wash his face, teach him what is right and wrong and feed him. She said her name was Mrs Luella Bates Washington Jones and that he (the boy) would never forget her. She held him by his neck and dragged him down the street to her house.
She took him to a kitchenette-furnished room in a boarding house where she lived. Once at home, she released her hold on the boy. Asking him his name, which he said was Roger, she told him to wash his face at the sink with warm water. The boy looked at the open door as his means of escape but went to wash his face. Upon further enquiry, Mrs Jones came to know that her suspicions were right-Roger had nobody at home to feed him, look after him and guide him. She thought he tried to steal because he was hungry but Roger confessed that he tried to steal to get money to buy blue suede shoes. The shoes-blue and suede are a symbol of privileged luxury. This was probably the inspiration for the song, Blue Suede Shoes made famous by Elvis Presley where the shoes are an item of luxury.
The lady told Roger that he could simply have asked her instead of trying to steal her purse. The lady added that there was a time when she too wanted things she did not have but she never stole; though she had herself done some things she was not proud of. Her honesty and acknowledgement of being in the same situation as him surprised him. She asked the boy to comb his hair to look presentable.
Mrs Jones instructed Roger to sit down while she heated some lima beans and ham, and made cocoa. Roger felt the urge to leave through the door as well as the need to respect the trust the lady had in him despite his attempt to steal her purse. He was aware she could not see him from behind the screen that separated the kitchen. He also noted that she had left her purse on the daybed. But he sat in such a way that she could see him in her periphery. His urge for natural acceptance probably won over his urge to flee. In fact, he offered her that he could go to the store to buy essentials she might need.
During dinner, she did not enquire about where Roger lived, or his parents, or anything else that would embarrass him. Instead, she told him about her job in a beauty shop at a hotel.
After dinner, she gave him ten dollars to buy the shoes he wanted, and asked him to behave well from then on, and to not snatch anybody’s purses. When he left the house, he wanted to say so many things but he managed to say just “thank you ma’am,” before she closed the door. The story ends with the narrator commenting that the boy never saw her again.
Workbook MCQs :
1. The story opens with a large woman having a large purse. The purse was large is ‘implied by the fact that
(a) it contained everything, just short of hammer and nails
(b) its strap snapped
(c) it contained hammer and nails
(d) All of the above
Answer :- (d) All of the above
2. Why did the woman not loosen her grip on the boy’s shirt?
(a) She suspected that he would run away
(b) She asked him and he confessed that he would run.
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) She was going to take him to the police
Answer :- (b) She asked him and he confessed that he would run.
3. Name the figure of speech in: shook him until his teeth rattled
(a) Sarcasm
(b) Hyperbole
(c) Dialect
(d) Alliteration
Answer :- (b) Hyperbole
4. How did the boy put himself in contact with’ the woman?
(a) He attempted to snatch her purse
(b) He spoke to her to ask for help
(c) He allowed himself to be caught by her
(d) All of the above.
Answer :- (a) He attempted to snatch her purse
5. What, according to the lady, was the reason for purse snatching?
(a) The boy was hungry
(b) The boy was poor
(c) The boy had no family
(d) All of the above.
Answer :- (a) The boy was hungry
6. What was Roger’s motive behind the theft?
(a) Hunger
(b) Poverty
(c) Absence of family
(d) Urge to obtain blue-suede shoes
Answer :- (d) Urge to obtain blue-suede shoes
7. What does the pair of blue suede shoes symbolise?
(a) Luxury
(b) Hunger
(c) Poverty
(d) All of the above
Answer :- (a) Luxury
8. You a lie!’ is an example of
(a) Dialect
(b) Hyperbole
(c) Sarcasm
(d) Humour
Answer :- [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
9. Given below are some actions. List them in the right sequence as they occur in the story:
(i) The purse’s strap breaks
(ii) The lady kicks the boy
(iii) The boy falls
(iv) The lady grips the boy by his shirt front.
(a) (iii), (i), (iv), (ii)
(b) (i), (iii), (ii), (iv)
(c) (i), (iii), (iv), (ii)
(d) (iii), (i), (ii), (iv)
Answer :- [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
10. What was the boy’s dilemma when he went towards the sink?
(a) To run or to obey the lady
(b) To escape or to follow the lady
(c) To steal her purse or to run away
(d) To wash his face or to eat lima beans
Answer :- [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
11. The lady showed that she trusted the boy by
(a) not watching over him
(b) feeding him
(c) leaving her purse behind
(d) Both (a) and (b)
Answer :- [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
12. The lady lays stress on being presentable
(a) She asks the boy to wash his face
(b) She asks the boy to comb his hair
(c) She asks the boy to buy his blue suede shoes
(d) Both (a) and (b)
Answer :- [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
13. How did Mrs Jones interpret the boy’s frown?
(a) That the boy wanted to escape
(b) That the boy was hungry
(c) That the boy thought she too stole purses
(d) All of the above.
Answer :- [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
14. Jack’s meal at Mrs Jones house comprised
(a) lima beans and ham
(c) ten-cent cake
(b) cocoa
(d) All of the above.
Answer :- [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
15. According to the lady what would be the outcome of wearing shoes procured by unethical means?
(a) The wearer’s feet would get burnt
(b) The wearer would enjoy the comfort of the shoes
(c) The wearer’s feet would grow
(d) All of the above.
Answer :- [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
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Complete The Sentences :
1. Roger fell on his back because the purse was heavy and the weight of the purse and his own made him lose his balance.
2. Roger was unable to snatch the purse and run because he lost his balance and fell backwards.
3. Roger did not run away despite the open door because he did not want to be mistrusted anymore.
4. It can be inferred that Roger was a weak boy because he could be dragged by Mrs Jones to her house.
5. We know that the large woman could take care of herself because [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
6. There was a long pause after Roger washed his face because [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
7. The boy did not want to be mistrusted by the lady because [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
8. ‘Let the water run until it gets warm’ shows Mrs Jones’ concern for the boy because [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
9. The boy ‘dried it again’ because [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
10. The lady wants Roger to look ‘presentable’ because [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
Short Question Answers :
1. Briefly describe the house where Mrs. Jones lived. (You may make use of the historical background of the author’s association with an art form).
Answer :- Mrs. Jones lived in a modest, small apartment in a bustling urban neighborhood. Her home is described as being part of a rooming house, a common type of housing in mid-20th century urban America, particularly among working-class individuals. Langston Hughes, known for his connection to the Harlem Renaissance, often depicted the lives of ordinary African Americans in urban settings. The apartment is accessible by climbing a long, dark staircase, hinting at the somewhat difficult living conditions that many faced. Inside, the home is simple yet functional, with necessary amenities like a kitchenette. This environment reflects the economic realities of many African Americans during Hughes’ time, highlighting themes of resilience and community in the face of adversity.
2. Mrs. Jones was inordinately, focused on looking presentable. Comment.
Answer :- Mrs. Jones’ emphasis on looking presentable reflects a deep-seated sense of pride and self-respect despite her modest means. Throughout the story, she ensures that her appearance is neat and tidy, which is indicative of her personal integrity and dignity. This focus on appearance is significant as it represents a form of resistance against the socio-economic challenges she faces. It is a way of maintaining her self-esteem and demanding respect from others. Her concern for appearance also extends to her interaction with Roger, as she insists that he wash his face, symbolizing a broader concern for moral cleanliness and self-respect. Langston Hughes uses this characteristic to illustrate the theme of dignity in the face of hardship, a recurring element in his works.
3. Briefly list the sequence of events that led to her saying, “You a lie!”
Answer :- The sequence of events leading to Mrs. Jones saying, “You a lie!” begins with Roger’s attempted theft of her purse. After catching him, she drags him to her apartment and starts questioning him about his motives. When asked if he was hungry or needed money, Roger initially tries to lie, saying he wanted money for blue suede shoes. Mrs. Jones, with her keen understanding of human nature, quickly sees through his lie and confronts him about his true intentions. Her blunt declaration, “You a lie!” is a pivotal moment that breaks down Roger’s facade, leading to a genuine conversation about his needs and circumstances, and highlighting Mrs. Jones’ no-nonsense approach to teaching him a lesson.
4. Describe the young purse-snatcher.
Answer :- [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
5. Roger stole because he wanted to procure blue suede shoes. Explain the symbolism used here.
Answer :- [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
6. The two characters in the story, Thank You, Ma’am, are lonesome. Comment on the appropriateness of this statement.
Answer :- [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
7. The nature vs nurture theory is brought to the fore in the story, Thank You, Ma’am. Comment.
Answer :- [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
Long Question Answers :
1. Roger was shocked twice in the story. Give details of what he expected and what happened.
Answer :- Roger was first shocked when he attempted to snatch Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones’ purse. Expecting an easy theft, he was taken aback by her immediate and forceful reaction. Mrs. Jones didn’t just let him go or call the police; instead, she firmly grasped him, demonstrating her strength and determination. Roger likely anticipated a frightened reaction or a quick escape, but instead, he found himself overpowered and unable to flee. The second shock came when, instead of being punished or turned over to the authorities, Mrs. Jones took him to her home. He expected anger, retribution, or perhaps even a call to the police, but she surprised him with compassion and understanding. She cleaned him up, fed him, and treated him with unexpected kindness. This profoundly altered his perception, leaving him bewildered and grateful. This unexpected generosity challenged Roger’s assumptions about adults and consequences, making him realize the impact of genuine kindness and care.
2. The large woman with the large purse is a symbol of ‘working-class Americans.’ Comment.
Answer :- Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones represents the resilience, strength, and generosity of the working-class Americans. Her “large purse” symbolizes not only her physical strength but also the capacity for compassion and care. Despite working long hours as a hotel beauty shop employee, she demonstrates a willingness to go out of her way to help a young boy who tried to rob her. Her large, imposing presence and practical nature reflect the hard-working, no-nonsense attitude typical of many working-class individuals who face daily struggles but maintain a strong moral compass. Mrs. Jones’ actions underscore the idea that people from humble backgrounds often possess a wealth of empathy and understanding, qualities that are crucial for community and societal growth. Her ability to forgive and support Roger, despite his initial misdeed, highlights the inherent goodness and resilience found within working-class America, challenging the stereotype that wealth or social status is necessary for benevolence.
3. The author’s background and language give the setting of the story. Elaborate.
Answer :- [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
4. Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least expensive, and the most underrated agent of human change. Comment on this quote in light of the story, Thank You Ma’am.
Answer :- [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
5. How does the story encourage the American Dream?
Answer :- [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
6. How did the boy’s attitude to his misdemeanour change from the beginning to the end of the story by Langston Hughes? Give evidence from the story to support your answer.
Answer :- [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
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