This is an amazing story wrote by TONI CADE BAMBARA. There’re so many important lessons that stood out to me. At the beginning of the story my focused was more on Sylvia’s and sugar and I instantly could tell they are two best friend who like to cause trouble around the block while they enjoy their childhood. Mrs. Moore was the one that shift my perspective about the kids in the story. Mrs. Moore took it on upon herself to educate the kids so they can have better opportunities when they grow up. She took them to different side of the world to expand their mind. The kids never thought outside of their neighborhood, but Mrs. Moore took them to the real world to show them the inequality that they are dealing with and that there’s a lot of money out there to be made. On page 6 states that “Poor people have to wake up and demand their share of the pie and don’t none of us know what kind of pie she’s talking about in the first place” ( Toni Bambara). This one is what clarifies to me that Mrs. Moore wants some of the people to stand up against the inequality that is happening but she can only show the kids about it so they can dream big, and I love the facts that Mrs. Moore is setting the example with the kids so that one day they can make better decision and get exactly what they want in life. The lesson I learn from the story is that it’s always best to go outside of your comfort zone so you can see the real world and that’s the only way you can find new inspiration and most importantly it’s good to expand our kids minds with […]
Daily Archives: February 16, 2025
In an essay that would focus less on socio-economic issues, would be an essay that explores Sylvia’s personal understanding and growth in “The Lesson”. In the beginning of “The Lesson” Sylvia is very resistant and stubborn towards Miss Moore’s lesson about social class and money. Sylvia is confused and doesn’t fully understand the purpose of the trip to the toy store. Throughout the story she begins to understand theirs more to society than she thought. This change of Sylvia’s mindset is a very important part of the story. Sylvia understands that this lesson isn’t just about the differences in money certain objects have, but it’s about gaining self awareness of where she stands in this world. Sylvia’s mind being opened up to the harsh reality we live in something we all can understand and relate to. The need to wanting to stay in your innocents but being forced to accept the unfortunate and unfair rules of society. The title I would give this essay would be “Sylvia’s Shift in Perspective”.
As I read The Lesson, I didn’t immediately think about the deeper meaning of the toys or the store; I focused more on Sylvia’s attitude and the way she spoke. i realized that the things in the store were not just expensive, but meant something else. The store, the sailboat and the price tags were not just details of the story, but symbols that made me think about how the world is divided. The toy store seemed like a whole other world, almost like a museum where the children didn’t belong. The glass windows made it clear that they were outside, not just physically, but in life. It was like an invisible barrier reminding them that some things were not meant for them, not because they didn’t want them, but because they couldn’t have them. The sailboat was what stuck with me the most. It was supposed to represent freedom and fun, but for Sylvia, it seemed to represent everything she couldn’t control. The price was even worse: how could something so simple cost so much? It wasn’t just a toy; it was a symbol of power, privilege and access. What I liked most was that Ms. Moore never told the kids what to think, she just let them see for themselves. The price tags were like little hidden messages, forcing them to ask themselves questions they might not have asked before. I would call my essay “Hidden Messages.”
Toni Cade Bambara’s “The Lesson” utilizes language and setting in a particular way to move the story along it’s tracks and represent its main idea. As the neighborhood in which the narrator, Sylvia, and her friends/family is introduced to Miss Moore, there reactions aren’t quite positive about her. The narrator immediately introduces her as having, “nappy hair and proper speech and no makeup”, which highlights Miss Moore’s seeming disregard for appearance, yet mentioning her proper speech seems to be a trait that stands out from the others. As the narrator describes her further, she is often highlighting her flaws or belittling her. The story begins to take shape when the characters go out of their neighborhood with Miss Moore, who is “boring [them] silly” about the financial state of the country and the reality of their parents living situations. Though the characters seem to take no interest in the matter, being introduced to a toy store on Fifth Avenue (assuming in Manhattan) soon brings out their self-realization about their situations, and forces them to think of the differences in their lives compared to the lives of those who treat money like it’s disposable. In the toy store, the children have all sorts of reactions, yet one intriguing reaction had was their almost trance and disbelief. Looking at the price tags, they imagine the lives of those who would spend such amounts on simply toys, and compare the amount of money to how it would be used in their own lives. It is even described how with $35 Sylvia’s family could take a trip, or be able to pay for rent and a piano bill. These comparisons also help identify the time in which the narrative takes place. Considering how language is utilized, and the importance of setting being described in […]
During reading the article from Toni Cade Bambara tells us how a person is experiencing experiences within people such as inequality and telling the audience there each day of school. Also I would add Martin Luther King Jr including the protest because people like listening to drama and protest that makes people want to argue and debate of different situations. Protesting will fall in the setting because people like discovering the time and place of the area where is being taken care of. I would title it Being part of a protest writing this title will make the reader make want to read more about the article.For example, reading the article made me wanted to know more about the setting and the problem. This brings the readers attention willing to know more of the article. The name of the essay made me think a lesson will be brought to the essay. Reading the essay made me interesting on how they learned and adapt to the challenges.
