Toni Bambara The Lesson Essay

Question #5: What political or social point does your story make?

In "The Lesson" by Toni Bambara, the narrator, Sylvia, is confronted with conflicting feelings about class, wealth, and social injustices. Throughout the story, there are various points where we see her development into a girl that sees the world for how it really is. MIss Moore, the woman that makes this all possible, is the primary target of Sylvia's bitterness. It seems, though, that this dislike is unanimous within the group, "...we laughed at her...we kinda hated her too...." Nonetheless, when the kids were around, Miss Moore would not miss a chance to teach them life lessons, the most important one (for Sylvia, at least) comes when the group is taken to an expensive toy store in Manhattan.

The lesson/social point Sylvia is to learn is foreshadowed early on in the story, "...she's boring us silly about what things cost and what our parents make and how much goes for rent and how money ain't divided up right in this country." Miss Moore is already hinting at the fact that the group will be faced with a trip whose sole purpose is to teach them about money, but this will not be the

The fur coat is one of the symbols of wealth, showing just the lavish life those in Manhattan lead. They initially window shop, looking at the various items and their price tags. Sylvia is taken aback by these prices, and Q.T. adds "Must be rich people shop here." Shortly after, Sylvia feels shame and fear when Miss Moore tells them to go inside. Q.T.'s words, combined with this shame and fear, show that Sylvia most likely considers herself less than for not being able to afford what she sees. This shame is the turning point for her, because she begins to see the disparity between the social classes--the rich and the