I. Introduction
a. In Langston Hughes' short story "Thank You, Ma'am" talks about a tale of a young teenager who tries to steal a woman's purse to buy himself new blue suede shoes. The woman, Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones, scolds and grabs the boy, Roger, and takes him home with her. Roger thinks she might turn him over to the police, but she does not. She talks to him in an understanding way, saying she did things when she was younger that she is not proud of today. While in her boarding room, she leaves Roger alone to cook supper for them. Roger realizes that he can easily escape and take her purse with him, but by that time, he does not want to. He wants Mrs. Jones to trust him. After supper, Mrs. Jones gives Roger money for the shoes he wants. Shirley Jackson’s short story “All the Years of Her Life” tells about a young boy named Alfred Higgins, an employee at Sam Car’s drugstore caught stealing. The owner calls Mrs. Higgins and threatens to call the cops. Upon her arrival at the store, Mrs. Higgins exhibits a calm sense of strength when asking Mr. Car to reconsider his decision. After hearing her plea, Mr. Car fires Alfred and they return home. In the end, Alfred realizes his mother’s disappointment and torment towards his repeated mistakes.
b. In the first short story, it focuses on how a person’s character can change from understanding and guidance from another person. In the second short story, it focuses on a mother’s true colors.
c.
II. Topic Sentence-
a.
III. Topic Sentence- Though both women attempt to teach ethical Principles to the troubled adolescents, their different personalities make them different.
IV. Conclusion