The powerful short tale “The Lesson” by Toni Cade Bambara perfectly exemplifies C.S. Lewis’s claim that writing enhances reality rather than merely describing it. The main plot of Bambara’s story centers on a journey that some underprivileged kids from Harlem take with their unconventional teacher Miss Moore to Manhattan’s F.A.O. Schwarz toy store.On the surface, the narrative presents a simple illustration of the glaring economic inequalities that exist in society. however, Bambara does more than simply explain this inequality; she magnifies and adds layers to it, causing readers to consider more fundamental societal and moral issues. Readers can feel the weight of injustices and consider the fundamental unfairness of the children’s socioeconomic circumstances thanks to the children’s reactions, particularly Sylvia’s internal conflict.
For instance, the children’s outright shock and outrage when they see a toy sailboat with a price tag of more than $1,000 serve as a tangible reminder of the size of the socio-economic divide. This observation of the pricey toys becomes more than just a simple reflection on access, privilege, and societal value. Bambara gives the reader a more empathetic understanding of the realities of economic disparity by contrasting it with the wealth of the toy store and the world of these kids.
