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Toni Cade Bambara The Lesson Essay

626 Words3 Pages

Carlos A. Rodriguez
Professor Wilson
English Composition
27 February 2023
Pushing for Financial Freedom
Life is unfair if you don’t push for change. One of the most prominent issues in our country is the harsh separation of classes. Wealth is distributed unfairly throughout the population; It’s been that way for decades. In 1972, Toni Cade Bambara released a short story that touches on inequality caused by wealth distribution. Bambara’s “The Lesson” follows a group of kids who grow up in a predominantly poor neighborhood. The group includes Sugar, Flyboy, Big Butt, Q.T., Mercedes, Junebug, and Sylvia. Besides the kids, the other main character is Miss. Moore. She is an educated woman, who lives in the neighborhood, and makes it her mission to teach the kids valuable life lessons. Looking at life from a different perspective motivates you to better your own. By taking the kids to F.A.O Schwarz, a toy store on fifth avenue, Miss Moore successfully educates the group about wealth inequality and its effects on lifestyle choices.
The value of money is subjective. A wealthy individual might think one hundred dollars is insignificant, while someone else might reconsider spending the same amount. While window shopping at F.A.O …show more content…

After being inside the toy store, the kids recognize their inability to partake in a world that resembles the toy store. When talking about life, Sylvia recalls a conversation with Miss Moore, “Where we are is who we are, Miss Moore always pointin out. But it don’t necessarily have to be that way…” (pg. 140). In this conversation, Miss Moore insinuates that people can improve their economic status. The kids are poor because their parents are poor. Miss Moore’s comment aims to motivate the kids to secure a better life. “But ain’t nobody gonna beat me at nuthin” (pg. 141). Silvia is the main character of the story. By acknowledging her intention to fight, she creates a sense of

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