Conflict and Theme in “Thank you, Ma’am” Answers

Which of these is a theme of "Thank You, Ma’am"?

Read this excerpt from "Thank You, Ma’am.”The strap broke with the single tug the boy gave it from behind. But the boy’s weight and the weight of the purse combined caused him to lose his balance so, instead of taking off full blast as he had hoped, the boy fell on his back on the sidewalk, and his legs flew up.This excerpt introduces:

Read this excerpt from "Thank You, Ma’am.”She was a large woman with a large purse that had everything in it but hammer and nails.What makes this excerpt part of the exposition of the story?

Read this excerpt from "Thank You, Ma'am.”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. It was about eleven o’clock at night, and she was walking alone, when a boy ran up behind her and tried to snatch her purse. The strap broke with the single tug the boy gave it from behind. But the boy’s weight and the weight of the purse combined caused him to lose his balance so, instead of taking off full blast as he had hoped, the boy fell back on his back on the sidewalk, and his legs flew up.Which plot element does this excerpt describe?

Read this excerpt from "Thank You, Ma'am.”When they were finished eating she got up and said, "Now, here, take this ten dollars and buy yourself some blue suede shoes. And next time, do not make the mistake of latching onto my pocketbook nor nobody else’s—because shoes come by devilish like that will burn your feet. I got to get my rest now. But I wish you would behave yourself, son, from here on in." What theme is suggested by this excerpt?