Although Sugar and Sylvia, as all the other children – except Mercedes perhaps – initially had the same mentality when first venturing on this trip, Sugar’s outlook seems to have shifted, learning something new and giving her maybe hope to be better and do better. I think Sugar learned humility, while the trip to FAO Schwarz hardened Sylvia just a little bit more.
Ms. Moore, recognizing we are all a product of our surroundings and society, is emphatically trying to teach them all to do better. Her teaching method reminds me of a common phrase in the black community “if you knew better, you’d do better”. Sugar seems to have had that click in her head, the metaphorical light bulb going off for her; now that she knows better, or on her way to knowing better, she can and will do better. Sylvia on the other hand, is hardened by the thought of people being able to frivolously spend money on a toy while the thought of her even asking for a toy that costs $35 would be met with looks of audacity for even asking. I say Sugar seems to have been hardened and prideful. She says something, at least twice in the writing, that alludes to her pride. On the last paragraph of page 4, Sylvia says she won’t talk to Ms. Moore because she won’t give her the satisfaction, and the very last sentence of the writing, she states “but ain’t nobody gonna beat me at nuthin”. In another instance, she states she’s mad, but she won’t but won’t give Ms. Moore the satisfaction, yet again, of knowing she was affected by the trip to the store.
Sylvia seems to feel defeated and ashamed of who/what she is, while Sugar seems either be hopeful for better, or accept it for what life is. Sylvia was forced to reflect, as it is alluded that she is going to do, when it’s stated she was headed to West End and to the Drive to think about her day. The gamut of emotions Sylvia went through in that short trip, caused her to view her life, surroundings and society differently. Sylvia is looking her poverty in her face, and she doesn’t like it, This trip lit a fire under her to perhaps, to do and be better. I can only hope this is what she went to West End to think about.
One thought on “Tracey Mainer Discussion 4”
Hi Tracey, I admire the way you express your narrative in this article. The way you say “except mercedes” because the audience knows she fortunate enough that her family is wealthy that she can buy these toys is a very small but admirable detail. Other than that the way you explained how sylvia and sugar experiences differ from the field trip and how ms.moore did her teaching methods is very well done. Thank you for sharing.