So after reading “ The Lesson” by Toni Cade, I can see that the essay shifts focus away from the socioeconomic theme that could have been more explored into a intricate dynamic in the character development, relationship and identity. One possible approach that could have been analyze the narrators point of view, on how her defiance and internal conflict including the eventual introspection reflecting her coming of age process. But with the subtle tension between Miss Moore’s and Sylvia shows more about their personalities and the cultural divided between them. Also another interesting thing is the importance of the setting because how Bambara contrast the world of Harlem with the affluent Fifth Avenue store.
In other words I would have renamed the essay title as “ Beneath the Surface”.
2 thoughts on “Aryanah Francis Discussion #3”
Hi, Aryanah! I also said that I would focus on the narrator’s internal conflict with education and her place in the world. Sylvia reflects the people from her community with her attitude towards Miss Moore’s educational background. They disparage her because they believe that she is trying to liken herself to whiteness by attending college. I also liked how you included her “eventual introspection reflecting her coming of age process”. Towards the end, we can see that she’s fighting a battle within herself to not care about Miss Moore and her lesson on inequality, however, it is clear that she is losing. This makes room for Sylvia to have character development that reflects on her being more interested in not only Miss Moore’s lessons, but also, the inequality that her and her community faces and where that puts her in the world. Thank you for your post! You showed me other subjects that would be interesting to write about.
Aryanah, there are so many broad ideas in your post. I am not clear what your focus would be.