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Toni Cade Bambara The Lesson Analysis

591 Words3 Pages

Senior Response Paper – Question #2 In “The Lesson” by Toni Cade Bambara, Miss Moore teaches the summer students through experience rather than explicit teaching. Miss Moore understands the inequalities of the world outside of her students’ Harlem neighborhood. They lack the ability to see the opportunities that are available outside of their community. The story is narrated by one of the young girls, named Sylvia. Instead of simply explaining the disparities that exist in the world, Miss Moore takes them on a trip to FAO Schwarz in Manhattan. The famous toy store is only a few miles from where they are growing up, but a world away from their lifestyle. In this way, Miss Moore engages the students in the realities of their lives and forces …show more content…

“’Will you look at this sailboat, please,’ say Flyboy, cuttin’ her off and pointin’ to the thing like it was his. So once again we tumble all over each other to gaze at this magnificent thing in the toy store which is just big enough to maybe sail two kittens across the pond if you strap them to the posts tight. We all start reciting the price tag like we in assembly. ‘Handcrafted sailboat of fiberglass at one thousand one hundred ninety-five dollars.’ ’Unbelievable,’ I hear myself say and am really stunned. I read it again for myself just in case the group recitation put me in a trance. Same thing. For some reason this pisses me off. We look at Miss Moore and she looking at us, waiting for I dunno what” (3-4). The students compare the price of the toy to the amount it costs to feed a family. They begin to see the monetary inequities for themselves. Miss Moore is aware this is not something she could teach them; it is something they had to see, feel, and take to heart. Sylvia begins to feel something stir inside of her when it is time to enter the store. “But I feel funny, shame. But what I got to be shamed about? Got as much right to go in as anybody. But somehow I can’t seem to get hold of the door, so I step away for Sugar to lead. But she hangs back too”

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