In Toni Cade Bambara’s “The Lesson,” there’s so much more going on than just the obvious talk about money and inequality. What really grabbed me was Sylvia’s character and how she changes throughout the story. At first, she’s this tough, street-smart kid who doesn’t want to listen to Miss Moore. But as they wander through that fancy toy store, you can almost feel her world expanding. It’s like she’s starting to see things differently, even if she doesn’t fully get it yet. The way Bambara writes Sylvia’s voice is super authentic—it feels like you’re right there with her, hearing her thoughts in real-time. And then there’s all this symbolism, like the sailboat that’s ridiculously expensive. It’s not just a toy; it’s a symbol of dreams and the barriers that keep them out of reach for kids like Sylvia. So, while the story definitely tackles big issues like economic disparity, it also dives deep into personal growth and awareness, which I found really compelling. It makes you think about how we all have these moments that push us to see beyond our immediate world.
Powered by:
top
2 thoughts on “Fatim Sidibe, Discussion#4”
I really like how you focused on Sylvia’s personal growth and not just the economic themes. Her shift in perspective is subtle but impactful, and you framed it very well, I think. The toy store visit isn’t just about inequality, but it’s a turning point for Sylvia, even if she doesn’t fully process it yet. I also agree with your point about the sailboat as a symbol of unreachable dreams. Bambara’s writing truly makes us experience Sylvia’s awakening firsthand as she’s undergoing it herself, which is really powerful.
Fatim, I like what you write her about Sylvia’s character and how it changes through the story. But do you explain this in your post? You mention that she is tough and street-smart, but what are examples of this? What else do you tell us about her character? Is she smart? Is she funny? Is she brave? Is she defensive? Is she angry? In what ways does she change by the end of the story? You start talking about the “ridiculously expensive sailboat” and “the symbol of dreams and barriers” and “personal growth and awareness” completely losing track of your focus on Sylvia’s character and forgetting to tell us what she is actually like and how her character changes!
Also, please put the correct week in your title so we don’t get mixed up. I know Week 1 was confusing because we posted in Week 2, but now we should be on schedule. Thank you!