In this multimedia found poem, we dive into the intricate conflicts present within Langston Hughes‘ short story “Thank You, Ma’am.” The central characters in this narrative are Roger, the protagonist, and Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones, who can be seen as both a secondary antagonist and a guiding force. The story features two types of conflict: external and internal. The external conflict happens in the opening pages (pg1,2) as Roger, driven by his challenging circumstances, attempts to snatch Mrs. Jones’s purse. Their physical confrontation is portrayed in lines such as “A boy ran up behind her and tried to snatch her purse,” and “The large woman simply turned around and kicked him right square in his blue-jeaned sitter.” Meanwhile, the internal conflict takes center stage in the climax of the story. Spanning pages 3, 4, and 5, Roger grapples with his emotions and inner dilemma, torn between fleeing to escape consequences or staying to honor the trust Mrs. Jones has extended to him. Phrases like “he looked at the door,” “looked at the woman,” and “he could run, run, run” capture this internal conflict. The multimedia poem’s visual representation effectively mirrors these conflicts. The top section of the poem captures the external conflict, illustrating the moment when Roger tries to steal the purse. Meanwhile, the lower section vividly portrays the internal conflict, with an open door symbolizing the inclination to escape and an extended hand symbolizing the choice to remain and honor Mrs. Jones’s trust. Through this multimedia-found poem, we illuminate the dual conflicts within “Thank You, Ma’am,” highlighting the protagonist, the secondary antagonist, and providing a clear elucidation of the external and internal conflicts using illustrative examples from the text.

(Online Tools Used:Canva,Grammarly)