Self-discovery in Toni Bambora´s The Lesson and Liliana Heker´s The Stolen Party

677 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Effect and role of gender identity

The diverse and powerful topic of socioeconomic can be explored to develop characters and the overall theme of a story. Two literary stories in particular, “The Lesson” by Toni Bambara and “The Stolen Party” by Liliana Heker, have used socioeconomic status to create a second theme of self-discovery. The main characters in each of these two stories are young girls who discover their adult selves by the end. A low socioeconomic status was a part of each character’s character development in “The Lesson” and “The Stolen Party”, which ultimately forced them down a path of self-discovery. Good Start In both of these literary works, the low socioeconomic status of the main characters is made well known to the reader early on. This status is not a small detail to be known about the girls; rather it is an essential part of them. Knowing that these girls are not financially well-off is the most important development in their character and the overall message the stories send. In sociology, there is a term called master status, meaning, “a status that has exceptional importance for social identity, often shaping a person's entire life” (Marshall). In the case of these two stories, the low socioeconomic statuses act as master statuses for the girls; more important that their gender, or roles as daughters, or students. “The Lesson” is told in the first-person point of view by a young African-American girl named Sylvia living in the ghettos of New York City. She tells a story about a day with her friends and Miss Moore. Her low economic status is made evident by the way she speaks; it is not “proper”. An example of her improper speech is, “ain't nobody gonna beat me at nuthin”. This speech continues throughout the story as she describes wha... ... middle of paper ... ...nfortunately, instead, she is handed money and is thanked for her help. This is the self-discovery for Rosaura, as she is shocked and her innocence is stolen. She is completely heart-broken to find out that her mother was right. In the beginning, her mother said, “You know what you are to them? The maid’s daughter, that’s what.” Rosaura discovers her economic status and how it actually matters to other people. She also discovers her adult self as she is rushed into this harsh realization. Works Cited Bambara, T. (1972). The lesson. Retrieved from http://cai.ucdavis.edu/gender/thelesson.html Heker, L. (1994). The stolen party. Chicago: Coach House Press. Retrieved from http://www.schurzhs.org/ourpages/auto/2011/9/30/51370050/The Stolen Party.pdf Marshall, Gordon ed., A Dictionary of Sociology (2nd ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998), p. 399-400.

Show More
Related

  • ' The Lesson, By Toni Cade Bambara

    1753 Words  | 4 Pages

    Toni Cade Bambara’s ‘The Lesson’ starts with the Sylvia’s description about one African-American’s appearance, who is called Miss Moore. The story is focused on the the event of field trip that Miss Moore conducted for her students one day. She takes her students to pricy toy store which is called F.A.O. Schwartz, to let them see the reality of gap between poor and rich. The story took place in 1970s which was during the movements for civil and social rights, equality and justice swept the United States. According to university of California, during this time, the opportunity to African American was really limited in a lot of aspects, including the education. People often tend to interpret the most important main point of this

    Read More

  • Toni Cade Bambara’s The Lesson in the Cave

    1643 Words  | 4 Pages

    The narrator Sylvia and the children in her impoverished neighborhood are prisoners in a dark cave, which is the society that encompasses ignorance and puppet-handlers. “The Lesson” begins with Sylvia as she talks condescendingly about her neighborhood of Harlem, New York: “Back in the days when everyone was old and stupid or young and foolish and me and Sugar were the only ones just right, this lady moved on our block with nappy hair and proper speech and no makeup. Quite naturally we laughed at her… And we kinda ha...

    Read More

  • Social Class in A & P by John Updike

    372 Words  | 1 Pages

    In the story, “A&P” by John Updike, the student identifies the differences of social classes between Sammy, a checkout clerk and Queenie, a wealthy girl that visit’s the store. Though not from the same class structure, Sammy is compelled to interact with the girl, however fails in doing so because she is considered privileged.

    Read More

  • Miss Moore´s Teachings in Toni Cade Bambara's “The Lesson”

    624 Words  | 2 Pages

    The lessons that are taught through experience are usually the ones that stick with children for a lifetime. In Toni Cade Bambara's “The Lesson”, Miss Moore, a prominent character in the story, teaches a lesson to underprivileged children growing up in Harlem. Bambara's work is described as “stories [that] portray women who struggle with issues and learn from them.” (Vertreace, Par. 48) Bambara uses Miss Moore and her characteristics to teach Sylvia and the other children about social inequality and the idea of pursuing personal aspirations regardless of social status. Miss Moore has many admirable characteristics; she's intelligent, patient and caring.

    Read More

  • Sylvia's Struggle in The Lesson by Toni Cade Bambara

    1845 Words  | 4 Pages

    Toni Cade Bambara’s "The Lesson" revolves around a young black girl’s struggle to come to terms with the role that economic injustice, and the larger social injustice that it constitutes, plays in her life. Sylvia, the story’s protagonist, initially is reluctant to acknowledge that she is a victim of poverty. Far from being oblivious of the disparity between the rich and the poor, however, one might say that on some subconscious level, she is in fact aware of the inequity that permeates society and which contributes to her inexorably disadvantaged economic situation. That she relates poverty to shame—"But I feel funny, shame. But what I got to be shamed about? Got as much right to go in as anybody" (Bambara 604)—offers an indication as to why she is so hard-pressed to concede her substandard socioeconomic standing in the larger scheme of things. Sylvia is forced to finally address the true state of her place in society, however, when she observes firsthand the stark contrast between the rich and the poor at a fancy toy store in Manhattan. Initially furious about the blinding disparity, her emotionally charged reaction ultimately culminates in her acceptance of the real state of things, and this acceptance in turn cultivates her resolve to take action against the socioeconomic inequality that verily afflicts her, ensuring that "ain’t nobody gonna beat me at nuthin" (606). "The Lesson" posits that far from being insurmountable, economic and social injustice can be risen above, but it is necessary that we first acknowledge the role that it plays in our lives, and then determine to take action against it; indifference, and the inaction that it breeds, can only serve to perpetuate such injustices.

    Read More

  • Economic Inequality in Toni Cade Bambara's The Lesson

    1658 Words  | 4 Pages

    "The Lesson" by Toni Cade Bambara is not just a spirited story about a poor girl out of place in an expensive toy store, it is a social commentary. "The Lesson" is a story about one African-American girl's struggle with her growing awareness of class inequality. The character Miss Moore introduces the facts of social inequality to a distracted group of city kids, of whom Sylvia, the main character, is the most cynical. Flyboy, Fat Butt, Junebug, Sugar, Rosie, Sylvia and the rest think of Miss Moore as an unsolicited educator, and Sylvia would rather be doing anything else than listening to her. The conflict between Sylvia and Miss Moore, "This nappy-head bitch and her goddamn college degree" (307), represents more than the everyday dislike of authority by a young adolescent. Sylvia has her own perception of the way things work, her own "world" that she does not like to have invaded by the prying questions of Miss Moore. Sylvia knows in the back of her mind that she is poor, but it never bothers her until she sees her disadvantages in blinding contrast with the luxuries of the wealthy. As Miss Moore introduces her to the world of the rich, Sylvia begins to attribute shame to poverty, and this sparks her to question the "lesson" of the story, how "money ain't divided up right in this country" (308).

    Read More

  • An Analysis Of Jamaica Kincaid's 'Girl'

    1010 Words  | 3 Pages

    The second person point of view helps the reader to connect with the girl in this story. It shows the reader a better understanding of this character and how she is being raised to be a respectable woman. This point of view also gives us an insight on the life of women and shows us how they fit into their society. Through this point of view, the reader can also identify the important aspects of the social class and culture. The daughter tries to assert a sense of selfhood by replying to the mother but it is visible that the mother is being over whelming and constraining her daughter to prepare her for

    Read More

  • The Lesson by Toni Cade Bambara

    1044 Words  | 3 Pages

    Sometimes growing up we experience situations that can change our perspective on life. Especially, when these situations happen unexpectedly; we are in disbelief. In Toni Cade Bambara short story “The Lesson” written in first person; it delves into the struggle of a girl, Sylvia, who realizes the economic and social injustice surrounding her. However, with the help of Miss Moore Sylvia comes to grip with this issue, and opts to overcome it. In “The Lesson” Miss Moore wanted to impart on Sylvia and the other children is the value of a dollar, the importance of education, and to fathom the social and economic injustice that bounded them.

    Read More

  • Sociological Issues In Freedom Writers, By Erin Gruwell

    816 Words  | 2 Pages

    Because of this, she needed to protect her owns as she need to lie in the court or her family will no longer be protected nor respected. This related to one of the social issue, violence, when Eva decided to tell the truth, but had to pay the consequence, beaten up by her own gang. All she had time to worry about was her safety and survival, and nothing else which the rest of her classmates felt. Another social issue would be poverty as most of Gruwell’s students either live in the project or the parents kick them out or any type of situation that can happen. This film also contrasts poverty and middle class by placing a white student among gang affiliated students. In the beginning of the film, the white student sat in the front of the class as it was a sense of safety being in front of the teacher as she is also white. But when Gruwell arranged the classroom for all her students to get along and not to get violent with one another, the gang affiliated students resent him because he is white and does not live a harsh life. In a way, poverty is connected to gang life because they want to feel protected, and

    Read More

  • Figurative Language, And Symbolism In The Stolen Party By Liliana Heker

    729 Words  | 2 Pages

    Nor did she look in the blue bag. Instead she rummaged in her purse. In her hand appeared two bills. "You really and truly, earned this," she said handing them over. "Thank you for all your help, my pet." Rosaura felt her arms stiffen, stick close to her body, and then she noticed her mother 's hand on her shoulder. Instinctively she pressed herself against her mother 's body. That was all. Except her eyes. Rosaura 's eyes had a cold, clear look that fixed itself on Senora Ines 's face. Senora Ines, motionless, stood there with her hand outstretched. As if she didn 't dare draw it back. As if the slightest change might shatter an infinitely delicate

    Read More

  • Impact of Poverty on the lives of Raskolnikov, Gregor Samsa, and The Samsa Family

    1264 Words  | 3 Pages

    Poverty on social conditions affects everyone in every part of the world, no matter if they are rich or poor. First of all, everyone is divided into some sort of social class. The most known classes are the economic classes- the lower class, the middle class, and the higher class. The lower class goes through arduous labor all day and night to earn decent amounts of money to provide for themselves and their families. Most likely, they are the only source of income for the entire family. The higher class works hard to keep up or raise their high social status. They also work hard so they don’t loss their social rank, which permits them to hold a higher power over the middle and lower classes. Similarities of decisions made by characters in these two literary works will analyzed to understand the meaning behind the actions and influences of the social classes on each other.

    Read More

  • Legitimacy in The Apology and Oedipus the King

    897 Words  | 2 Pages

    Scott, J., & Marshall, G. (2009). A dictionary of sociology (3 ed.). Oxford: Oxford University

    Read More

  • The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

    1109 Words  | 3 Pages

    Social Class starts off in the book when Claudia describes her house and current living situation. “Our house is old, cold, and green. At night a kerosene lamp lights one large room. The others are braced in darkness, peopled by roaches and mice.”(10). Another example of Claudia’s lower status is when her mother gets upset when Pecola drinks all the milk. Claudia’s family can not afford to go through milk like that without losing a lot of money. Claudia’s mother says “Time for me to get out of the giving line and get in the getting line.”(24).Social class is also stated in the book early when Claudia talks about being “put out” and being “put outdoors”. This shows the difference between poverty and homelessness.“There is a difference between being put out and being put outdoors. If you are put out, you go somewhere else; if you are outdoors, there is no place to go. The distinction was subtle but final....Knowing that there was such a thing as outdoors bred in us a hunger for property, for ownership” page 17 (Toni Morrison).Pecola was homeless ...

    Read More

  • Literary Devices In Toni Cade Bambara's The Lesson

    1219 Words  | 3 Pages

    The narrator of the story is a young, black girl name Sylvia and the story is also told from her perspective. The setting is not clear. Perhaps it started in Harlem and then to downtown Manhattan on Fifth Avenue and the time of the story took place is also unclear. Bambara uses a great deal of characterization to describe the characters in the story. For example, Bambara describes Miss Moore as “black as hell” (Bambara 330), “cept her feet, which were fish-white and spooky” (Bambara 330), and “looked like she was going to church” (Bambara 330). She later tells us that she’s been to college and her state of mind is she believes it’s her responsibility for the children’s education. The plot started when Miss Moore rounded up all of the children by the mailbox. Then she gets the kids in a cab and took them to Fifth Avenue to a big toy store where the rich people would shop. The story then continues with the children and Miss Moore in the toy store and the kids looking around and noticing they can’t afford anything. Which will soon end the plot with a lesson that society is not fair, “that this is not much of a democracy if you ask me. Equal chance to purse happiness means an equal crack at the dough, don’t it?”(Bambara 330). Hence, the lesson Miss Moore is trying to teach these

    Read More

  • The Power and Limitains of Women in This Earth Of Mankind by Pramoedya Ananta Toer

    913 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...evels of the social structure, such as Nyai who is a native, Annelies who is an Indo, and Magda Peters who is a Pureblood. Nyai Ontosoroh has complete control over her family, but in society she is belittled due to her low social standing. Annelies has control over her love interest, and is quite high in the social status, however she still has to succumb to her mother who has control over her. Magda Peters is a European women who has power for being a Pureblood, and an educator, however the extent of her power ends at her Dutch students. Throughout the novel This Earth of Mankind all these women have some kind of power in their life, may it be in their personal life or in society, despite coming from different levels of the social hierarchy.

    Read More

More about Self-discovery in Toni Bambora´s The Lesson and Liliana Heker´s The Stolen Party

Open Document