Analysis Of The Lesson By Toni Cade Bambara

In this day and age many social issues that arise in America are typically not taken into consideration for change. Social commentary is an ancient art form that allows one to exclusively provide commentary on social issues. This form of expression is intentionally meant for readers to implement change and a sense of justice. Luckily, there are authors who promote the need for change through the struggles their main characters go through. Toni Cade Bambara wrote "The Lesson" which takes place in the ghetto projects, Harlem, New York. The story introduces Sylvia, the protagonist, she also happens to narrate the story and is the main character. Readers could quickly grasp the tone of the story by the way Sylvia describes Miss. Moore, an educated

Moore allow her to form a proposition, and originally believes she is ruining the children's summer vacation because she believes she is responsible for their education. It is implied that on a typical day Sylvia is outspoken but constrains herself as she learns a lesson throughout the day.
For all intents and purposes, the children are raised Harlem where their hallways smell like urination and filth. Sylvia lives with her Aunt also takes piano lessons which shows her ability to do something with herself. Sugar is Sylvia's best friend and Bambara clearly demonstrates that together they are amusing and young by writing, "And finally I say we oughta get to the subway cause it’s cooler and besides we might meet some cute boys. Sugar done swiped her mama’s lipstick, we ready"(1).
Bambara begins the story by showing two different lifestyles between Miss. Moore and the children's parents and aunts. It is evident that there is a need to display a proper and uniformed appearance from Miss. Moore. In the story, Bambara writes
"And our parents would yank our heads into some kinda shape and crisp up our clothes so we’d be presentable for travel with Miss Moore, who always looked like she was going to church, though she never did. Which is just one of the things the grown-ups talked about when they talked behind her back like a dog."

Moore. Education is the best way to move beyond poverty, and even if children were born into it, an educator can influence their environment to help succeed in learning. In the story it is implied that Sylvia takes a walk to West end, where many universities are at walking distances, to think about her future.
Research was done to further support the standing of Bambara using social commentary in order to expand on the major issues of economic inequality. A literary criticism called "Márquez's 'A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings' and Bambara's 'The Lesson.'" believes Bambara used Sylvia as an approach to provide social commentary. In the article it says,
"Bambara's "The Lesson" examines the experiences of a specific subculture and its relationship with the larger society. Bambara delves into the world of African Americans in Harlem, where she was from, and their reactions to the surrounding culture. The effectiveness of "The Lesson" derives from putting the reader into the position of the narrator. With this approach, the reader can learn through vicarious participation and by comparing the thoughts and actions of the narrator. [and]it can be seen that Bambara and García Márquez provided social commentaries on different scales. Due to the divergent focuses, it was necessary for varying approaches and styles. When there is an internalized message from one character, such