Ms. Moore’s decision to bring the eight children in this story to an expensive toy store, in what seems to be a predominantly white neighborhood, is made in an effort to showcase the inequality that exists in the United States’ economy, and each child reacts to this trip differently. Although Sugar and Sylvia seem to be most alike in their mischief and mannerisms, they have opposite reactions to being inside the store and seeing some of the prices on the displayed items. Prior to entering the store, the two are in alliance in terms of behavior, “‘Can we steal?’ Sugar asks very serious like she’s getting the ground rules squared away before she plays. ‘I beg your pardon,’ say Miss Moore, and we fall out. ” They are both hesitant to enter the store, feeling as if they don’t belong, yet as they enter the store, their behavior changes. Sugar becomes intrigued by the items, which angers Sylvia, “We just stare at that price tag. 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.” It’s clear Sylvia is doing everything in her power to preserve her tough persona while Sugar is showing an actual interest in what Ms. Moore is attempting to show them. Sylvia is angered by this trip, likely unconsciously trying to avoid coming to terms with the truth these price tags are teaching the children. When they return to their neighborhood, Ms. Moore asks what the children thought of their trip to the store and the implied but very clear differences in economic status and Sugar responds, to Sylvia’s dismay, by saying,” ‘I think,’ say Sugar pushing me off her feet like she never done before […]
Daily Archives: February 16, 2023
The first character from “The Lesson” I pick is Miss Moore. I believe she wanted to teach the kids that it’s so much more in this world then what they have Seen. she wants them to know they are just as important as every other kid that shopping in that toy store. The kids might have to work harder but it is something that can happen. I believe that experience taught them to respect each other and other people more and take live more seriously. I can relate to the kids in a way because I use to do things and make fun of people for having or doing things I couldn’t have because it made me feel better. Until I had seen more and started experiencing more. Now I respect people who have and don’t have. The second character from “The Lesson” I picked is Mercedes. I picked her because of her confidence going in the store knowing she didn’t have no money to get anything from the store, but she felt like she belonged there. She walked down the aisle proud and looking around. She was proud to speak about her cat and desk letting the kids know that regardless of where she’s at she worth the same as the stuff in the store.
“The Lesson” by Toni Cade Bambara was a very interesting read. The group of children went on an outing with Miss Moore to F. A. O. Schwarz, an expensive toy store, that had plenty of things most of them couldn’t afford. Miss Moore showed them expensive toys and it seemed as though she was pulling reactions out of all of them and seeing how they all felt about the prices of everything. Sylvia and Sugar were different, yet the same in the way they reacted to the whole outing. Sugar shared her insight being that she was a more outspoken and opinionated child, while Sylvia didn’t seem to want to say much. Sylvia appeared to be getting frustrated about everything, and even more so when Sugar decided to speak out. In the text, Sugar seems to speak on how she feels about the price of the sailboat, “Then Sugar surprises me by sayin, “You know, Miss Moore, I don’t think all of us here put together eat in a year what that sailboat costs.” And Miss Moore lights up like somebody goosed her.” I assume this angered Sylvia because she felt like it was disrespectful to them. I think Sylvia knew what the problem was, but didn’t want to admit it. I feel like she was in denial and did not want to talk about the issue.
The two characters from “The Lesson” whose responses to the FAO Schwarz visit I find the most interesting to compare are Sylvia and Sugar. They both become aware of racial inequality, but Sylvia is more affected and angry by this realization. Before Miss Moore asks the group what they think of FAO Schwarz, Sylvia is thinking about the $35 toy clown on the train going back uptown. During this inner dialogue, she is questioning why certain people are able to afford these expensive toys while other people are not able to. She asks what kind of work they do, pointing out that other people are given different opportunities than people in her community. When the group returns and Miss Moore asks the children what they think of FAO Schwarz, Sugar replies with insightful opinions, which upsets Sylvia. Sugar is stating ideas that emphasis the thoughts Sylvia was having on the train about equality and how everyone should be able to attain the same opportunities. Sylvia feels betrayed by Sugar answering Miss Moore and siding with her in a sense. I believe Sylvia is not only mad about Sugar speaking up, but she must also be so upset comprehending this unfair truth that exists in this country. On the other hand, Sugar does not seem too negatively affected by it. When they leave, Sugar is ready for the next fun activity while Sylvia must be alone to contemplate the day.
Mercedes and Sylvia were chosen as their responses for Miss Moore’s “lesson” are in contrast the most. For full understanding, it is necessary to define what kind of characters they are before visiting the toy store. Silvia, the protagonist and the 1st person narrator, is a teenage girl who lives in the ghetto with a poor family. She has a willful personality. It is clear from her way of talking and behaviour. “Go to the Sunset and terrorize the West Indian kids and take their hair ribbons and their money too” (2). Her name can foreshadow it too (Sylvia means spirit of the wood in Latin). At the same time, she is a low-educated and ill-mannered girl, what is can also be disclosed from her speech and deeds. The author uses AAVE in Sylvia’s lines. Sylvia feels very comfortable in a ghetto environment, she is a part of its every-day life.Mercedes is from a richer family. In spite of other characters, her parents can afford more studying stuff and pay more attention to her education. Her name also foreshadows her higher position in society. In spite of the other children in this story, she uses the standard English that shows her better education. Getting to the shop, Sylvia sees the toys that she has never seen before and feels that she really wants them. However, when she sees the price of the toy boat she is stunned. Getting out of her ghetto, she starts to understand that there is another life which is absolutely different. She can’t understand that somebody spends more than a thousand dollars on a toy. Before coming to the shop, Sylvia feels confused and shy, not related to that kind of society, feels like a stranger. At the shop, Sylvia experiences like in the church there. […]
