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Analysis Of The Lesson By Carey Eldred

647 Words3 Pages

Determining what one desires to be in life could prove to be a difficult choice. With so many options to choose from, it may seem overwhelming at times. However, have people ever taken a moment to contemplate about the children that do not have it, as some people say it, “as good as we do.” These children have a choice in what they wish to become, or do they? What about when society intrudes and judges someone because of where they were raised? This was the mindset that Sylvia has when visiting the toy store. She did not want the white people staring at her with disgusted gazes. The readers can infer Sylvia grew up from a place that resembles Harlem or the Bronx which provides readers with some important information on Sylvia’s feelings and emotions. “The lesson” gives us an insight of a little black girl, Sylvia, and how she grasps the value and importance of money and herself. …show more content…

One example of how Sylvia learns the value of money is when one of the girls ask the question, “Can we steal?”(171). Coming from a poverty stricken area, Sylvia does not comprehend the value and importance of money because she never had any. Janey Carey Eldred wrote in a narrative that the price of a certain toy Sylvia was interested in “catches her off guard” (510). Sylvia comes to the realization of how much toys, objects, etc. actually cost. Eldred says the statement to support the idea Bambara proposes that Sylvia acquires an understanding of the value of money. Another lesson that Sylvia absorbs is about

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In The Lesson, written by Toni Cade Bambara, it begins with Sylvia giving her own description on Miss Moore. She is confused as to why Miss Moore always gathers the kids from the neighborhood and takes them on boring outings. Sylvia mentions that Miss Moore is one of the few who has a college education, but she does not seem too impressed and would rather spend her day at the pool with her cousin, Sugar. As they enter the taxi cab, Miss Moore hands Sylvia a five dollar bill to tip the driver at the end of the trip. However, Sylvia has a difficulty time figuring out how much she should give the driver and decides against tipping him but would rather give him nothing.

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“The Lesson” by Toni Cade Bambara takes place in Harlem around the 1960’s. Sylvia a ten year old African-American girl play’s the part of the story’s narrator. Throughout the story there is a consistent theme of Sylvia’s anger towards those of higher status. She demonstrates this with her word choices toward those she views as better than she.

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Miss Moore brings the children into the toy store so they can walk around and most all of them feel out of place. Sylvia thinks to herself, “I mean, damn, I have never ever been shy about doing nothing or going nowhere … We all walkin on tiptoe and hardly touchin the games and puzzles and things” (627). She is realizing that these things are worth a lot of money, money that she does not have. After learning about the sailboat, Sylvia’s mood changes and she asks to leave, when they get back to the train she thinks about how her family is different from the people who can afford all the expensive things.

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Loss of Innocence In John Updike’s “A&P” and Toni Cade Bambara’s “The Lesson” the two authors illustrate difficult initiations teenagers face while they realize the harshness of society around them. Updike’s “A&P” explores the inner thoughts of a teenage boy, Sammy, who makes the tough decision to quit his job at the local A&P and realizes the bitterness of the world. Similarly, Bambara’s “The Lesson” explores the inner thoughts of a teenage girl, Sylvia, who realizes the value of money and clash of social classes through a field trip to a toy store. Although the protagonists are a part of different societies, they share similarities in character development through parallel epiphanies.

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With the context given, readers can only assume Sylvia will use the information gained negatively. She could turn into a criminal-a thief- since her pride will not let her acknowledge the lesson. Her fall will soon come. As for Sammy, now jobless, he has nowhere to go in life. Sammy comes from a poor family, which is inferred by the quotation: “when my parents have somebody over they get lemonade” as

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so Sylvia was only acting out on what she was taught this is how the learning theory cognitive applies to her

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In the story it is late spring and she is on summer get-away. Summer excursion for Sylvia is investing energy at the recreation center, at the show, and at the pool. This maysound alright, yet as Silvia portrays it the recreation center is brimming with alcoholic bums. The apartmentwhere she lives is additionally covered with bums all through the stairwells and foyers of her loft building, in all likelihood situated in a project. Various symbols are used in “The Lesson,” by Toni Cade Bambara, to represent the social and economic inequality faced by the children in this story.

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Some people pay $35 for rent. others pay three times that much for a single toy. Miss Moore, the teacher is disappointed that the children don't understand what she is trying to show them. The struggles are all racial inequality.

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Miss Moore, a mentor plans a summer trip for the children in Harlem to an expensive toy shop, F.A.O Schwarz to teach them a lesson about the value of money. One of the children is Sylvia and she has an arrogant behavior by saying, “Back in the days when everyone was old and stupid or young and foolish and me and Sugar were the only ones just right” (Bambara 304). Sylvia thinks that she is the smartest person in their neighborhood until Miss Moore comes. Sylvia does not like Miss Moore at all and she “kinda hate her too” (304). She hates Miss Moore because she feels that someone is better and smarter than her in their neighborhood.

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Everyday, she excels in her job of caring for the children and making a difference in the community. Due to her kindness she would always bring thoughtful gifts for the children. She doesn 't have to do the classes with the children everyday but she continues to do it like Sylvia says “school supposed to let out in the summer I heard, but she dont never let up” (Bambara 96). The lessons learned while earning her degree has lead her to becoming a positive role model in the children 's lives; nonetheless, teaching them lessons that may never learn from others. She shows her passion in the story by saying “she said, it was only her right that she take responsibility for the young ones’ education.

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In fact, as the author in this story, Toni Cade Bambara, Sylvia grew up in a very poor neighborhood. Sylvia’s understanding of the world is limited to what she experiences within her neighborhood and her tiny apartment. Scarcity and want are no strangers to her. Luckily, Sylvia and the other kids have Miss Moore as a mentor. Miss Moore begins to work within the kids’ environment to enrich them inasmuch as possible with education.

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One of her temptations is the money the man offers. He states, “‘I can’t think of anything I should like so much as to find the heron’s nest… I would give ten dollars to anybody who could show it to me.’” In the second part of the shorty story Jewett states, “He can make them rich with money; he has promised it, and they are poor now.” This shows the reader that offer of ten dollars had Sylvia contemplating on if she should tell him where the bird’s nest is. The way Jewett writes “rich with money” implies that Sylvia’s life is already filled with richness and happiness, but she could have even more richness with the temptation of money.

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The symbols present in “The Lesson” by Toni Cade Bambara, depict the economic and social injustices faced by specific members of society, specifically the children in the story. The characters in the story are being mentored by Miss Moore, a woman from their block who has taken up the role of taking them out on weekly outings. The story touches on the situation of the children that are stuck in living in almost poverty. “The Lesson” focuses on the socioeconomic disparities between the different racial groups and how. Bambara uses several techniques such as irony, othering, and second person point of view to make the story meaningful and demonstrate the characteristics of the characters.

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Sylvia is a young black girl with serious attitude living in Harlem. When Ms. Moore moves into the neighborhood she becomes somewhat of a mentor to the children. One day takes the kids to F.A.O Schwarz to teach them a lesson about the fairness of life. Sylvia feels shame over the situation and angry, however in the end there is much for her to consider. Miss Moore attempts to show the children the unfairness of wealth distribution, and that if they work hard enough they will be able to overcome their own poverty.

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