“Thank You Ma'am” Author's Style Essay

“Thank You Ma’am”, by Langston Hughes, is a story that communicates an effective message. Throughout the short story, there are many elements of author’s craft that Hughes uses to convey the message. To begin, Hughes uses economical diction, to make the story straightforward. Instead of using long-winded, extraneous diction, Hughes writes very simply and in a straightforward manner. For example, in the text, it states, “She was a large woman with a large purse that had everything in it but hammer and nails. It had a long strap, and she carried it slung across her shoulder,” (Hughes 1). As can be seen, the author clearly does tries to make the scene brief. The author didn’t go into further explanation about the women’s characteristics. He only informed the reader about one single characteristic. The purse had exactly no characteristics besides the fact that it could be slung across a shoulder. No texture, feel, or any characteristic was given to the woman's purse. By making the story straightforward, the economical diction makes the reader stay focused. When an author explains too much about an insignificant matter in the story, many readers will get bored because the story is not moving at an adequate pace for them. Furthermore, the author, uses economical diction closer to the end of the short story, “After he had dried his face and not knowing what else to do dried it again, the boy turned around, wondering what next. The door was open. He could make a dash for it down the hall,” (Hughes 2). This economical diction towards the end of the story, by making the events more straightforward, makes the story conclude very intriguingly. By not elaborating excessively towards the end, Hughes conveys his message more clearly.

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...nto my pocketbook nor nobody else’s—because shoes come by devilish like that will burn your feet,’” (Hughes 3). It was clear to Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones that the boy was poor and could not afford many of the clothing he desired most. In the text, it states, “‘Um-hum! And your face is dirty. I got a great mind to wash your face for you. Ain’t you got nobody home to tell you to wash your face?’” (Hughes 1). It can be implied from this excerpt that the young boy is poor. Therefore, Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones, is urged to help him because the boy is less fortunate. Hughes effectively delivers a message throughout the story. His message is conveyed adequately through his usage of economical diction, figurative language, and a clear theme. Hughes’s author’s style is sure to make any reader intrigued and more wise with its significant lesson to be learned.