Introduction
“Thank You Ma’am” is a short story written by Langston Hughes that was first published in 1958. It is a story of a young boy named Roger who tries to snatch the purse of a woman named Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones. Instead of punishing him, Mrs. Jones takes him to her house, feeds him, and gives him some life lessons. The story has been adapted into a video format, and in this article, we will compare and contrast the story and the video.
Characters
The characters in both the story and the video are the same. There is Roger, the young boy, and Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones, the woman he tries to rob. In the story, the characters are only described through their actions and dialogues, whereas in the video, we see their physical appearances and facial expressions.
Setting
The setting of both the story and the video is the same. It takes place on a dark street in an urban area. The story describes the setting in detail, whereas in the video, we see the setting through the camera angles and lighting.
Plot
The plot of both the story and the video is the same. Roger tries to snatch Mrs. Jones’ purse, but she grabs him and takes him to her house. There, she feeds him and gives him some life lessons. In the story, the plot is presented through the narrator’s point of view, whereas in the video, we see the plot through the camera angles and editing.
Dialogues
The dialogues in the story and the video are almost the same. However, in the video, some of the dialogues are shortened or omitted to fit the time limit. The dialogues in the story are more descriptive, whereas in the video, they are more visual.
Visuals
The story does not have any visuals, whereas the video is full of them. The video uses camera angles, lighting, and editing to create a visual representation of the story. In the video, we see the characters’ facial expressions, body language, and the setting. The visuals in the video add an extra layer of meaning to the story.
Themes
The themes of the story and the video are the same. They both deal with the themes of kindness, forgiveness, and empathy. Both the story and the video show how a small act of kindness can change someone’s life. They also show how forgiveness and empathy can lead to a better understanding of oneself and others.
Tone
The tone of the story and the video is the same. It is a mixture of seriousness and humor. Both the story and the video deal with serious issues such as poverty, crime, and human relationships, but they also have moments of humor and lightheartedness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both the story and the video of “Thank You Ma’am” have their strengths and weaknesses. The story is more descriptive and uses language to create a mental image of the characters and the setting, whereas the video uses visuals to create a visual representation of the story. However, both the story and the video have the same themes, tone, and plot. They both convey the message that kindness, forgiveness, and empathy can change someone’s life. Whether you prefer the story or the video, the message remains the same.
