Question

One form of irony is the contrast between expectations and what actually happens. At the beginning of the story, Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones is described as a large woman walking home from work late at night. Immediately, there is irony present once the boy tries to steal her purse. What is ironic about this situation?

Answer 1

The story "Thank You, Ma'am" by Langston Hughes is full of irony, which helps develop its message.

The first instance of irony occurs when the boy tries to steal Mrs. Luella's purse. The outcome that readers expect is that she will be scared and defenseless, while the boy will get away with it. However, this does not happen, as Mrs. Luella catches the boy and begins to kick him and shake him.

The second instance occurs when Mrs. Luella takes the boy home. The reader expects that she will continue her punishment. Instead, she is kind and compassionate to the boy.

Answer 2

Answer&Explanation:

An irony occurs when an author creates a situation in which the reader expects a diffrent outcome than what really happens in the next scenario.

Hughes which is the author of this book create an ironic situation in which we see Mrs Jones's reaction to what is an attempted theft of her purse.

Mrs Jones get violently and start kicking the boy (Roger), she picks him up and shake him until his teeth is rattled. She then takes the boy home stating that once she is done with him, he will recall Mrs Luella Bates Washington Jones.

By this time we are expecting that there is more and severe punishment to come to the boy.

Then she confuses us when she start to say "I got a great mind to wash your face for you." However, contrary to expectations, when Mrs Jones gets home , she then put every effort to actual indicate to the boy that he can trust her and she showers him with a lot of kindness, compassion and care , by showing that she understands why he wanted to steal by saying she can relate she also at the young age wanted things she couldn't have. She displays her kindness by letting Roger wash his face and comb his hair whilst she also given him dinner and further a 10 dollar fund to help him buy the blue suede shoes.