The quote “Literature adds to reality; it does not simply describe it” (C.S. Lewis) is embodied in the short story “the lesson” by Toni Cade Bambara. In the story a child named Sylvia visits a toy store with a few neighborhood children and Miss Moore, an educated black woman who Sylvia finds unpleasant. This story describes the economic injustice that was the reality for many Americans at this time, but goes over and beyond by putting the reader in the mind of a child trying to wrap their head around the fact that their family’s yearly income is a child’s toy sailboat for the rich. We are not only told that Sylvia feels like an unjust has been done against her, the author also uses vivid imagery so that we also feel this unjust too. “Then Sugar run a finger over the whole boat. And I’m jealous and want to hit her. Maybe not her, but I sure want to punch somebody in the mouth.” (Toni Cade Bambara). This quote brings to life the anger that Sylvia feels, and we feel the anger too. Mourning for these impoverished children, and the bit of innocence that left them when they exited the toy store empty handed.
Daily Archives: September 14, 2023
“Literature adds to reality; it does not simply describe it”. From the very get go of the story Sylvia our narrator introduces us to Ms Moore using these very descriptive details about her. “Back in the days when everyone was old….and she not even related by marriage or blood”. (Bambara para1) The description doesn’t simply describes Miss Moore but somehow adds reality to it, fascinating how we could imagine what everything that was being conveyed to us. Similarly, by drawing a comparison between two things the author creates additional meanings (like) in line 6 of paragraph 2 the narrator mentions something to the line of Fat Butt already wasting his peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich like the pig he is. Fat Butt isn’t really a pig but the narrator uses a form of literature here simile to describe how his friend had already fished his food comparing him to a pig (pigs are usually known for eating too fast).
Toni Cade Bambara’s The Lesson illustrates C.S. Lewis’s literary criticism by telling us how Sylvia perceives and thinks about her environment as an impoverished black kid in the 1960s. The narrative reminded us of some of our personal challenges, which some of us are still dealing with in 2023.
In the short story” Salvation” by Langston Hughes. I think the author has a big confusion. Contrary to all expectations, a young Hughes is not saved by Jesus, but is saved from his innocence. While attending a church revival, he comes to the sudden realization that Jesus will not physically come to save him. The innocence shown by the young boy at the beginning of the story can be attributed to many factors, the main reason being his Auntie Reed. She goes on talking for days about the big revival. Just like any other kid would, He listens and believes word-for-word what his aunt tells him: She said ”You could see and hear and feel Jesus in your soul”. With all the hype and anticipation surrounding this event, Hughes is certain something is bound to happen. His disappointment is manifested when he does not see Jesus. From what he has been told, he was expecting to see a human incarnation of Jesus. He is more than just expecting to see him; he badly wants to be saved! Seeing Westley give up so carelessly, triggers an awkward feeling inside of Hughes. The thought that Jesus is not going to show up after all is starting to grow. That leads him to eventually give up and join Westley in lying. It is only at night that he comes and joins the crowd in disappointment.
In the short story” Salvation” by Langston Hughes. I think the author has a big confusion. Contrary to all expectations, a young Hughes is not saved by Jesus, but is saved from his innocence. While attending a church revival, he comes to the sudden realization that Jesus will not physically come to save him. The innocence shown by the young boy at the beginning of the story can be attributed to many factors, the main reason being his Auntie Reed. She goes on talking for days about the big revival. Just like any other kid would, He listens and believes word-for-word what his aunt tells him: She said ”You could see and hear and feel Jesus in your soul”. With all the hype and anticipation surrounding this event, Hughes is certain something is bound to happen. His disappointment is manifested when he does not see Jesus. From what he has been told, he was expecting to see a human incarnation of Jesus. He is more than just expecting to see him; he badly wants to be saved! Seeing Westley give up so carelessly, triggers an awkward feeling inside of Hughes. The thought that Jesus is not going to show up after all is starting to grow. That leads him to eventually give up and join Westley in lying. It is only at night that he comes and joins the crowd in disappointment.
