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. Even within the group there is a difference of incomes at one point Mercedes tells the group, “‘My father would buy it for me if I wanted it’” (Bambarap. 149). In regards to a expensive toy sailboat, while the others are dumbfounded by the $1,595.00 price tag. Sylvia is extremely uncomfortable by the surroundings, even before they enter the shop she highlights “I kinda hang back. Not that I’m scared, what’s there to be afraid of, just a toy store. But I feel funny, shame” (Bambara p. 149). She goes on to compare the situation to that of a church her and Sugar were planning on vandalizing. “But I couldn’t go through with it …show more content…
When she looks around she sees a white lady wearing a fur coat and thinks, “white folks crazy” (Bambara p. 147). As a child being in this bougey part of town when you live in poverty, especially as a black child, must feel like a very oppressive atmosphere. She resents these rich white people for having more and blames them for keeping her where she is. This is why she comes off as so rebellious and angry. The ending of the story as Sugar runs ahead to the Hascombs, Sylvia narrates “ain’t nobody going to beat me at nuthin’” (Bambara p.151). This is significant because even though she was angry while they were at the toy store it shows that she has understood the lesson Miss Moore was teaching them. It demonstrates her strive to do more in life and not be held back by