In “The Lesson” by Toni Cade Bambara, the main character Sylvia along with her friend Sugar are two individuals that live in a relatively poor community, and they meet a new teacher that moves in whose name is Miss. Moore. The story starts off with Sylvia speaking poorly about her neighbors along with Miss. Moore and as the story progresses, Miss. Moore teaches them quite a bit through a trip. Miss Moore takes the students on a trip to F.A.0. Schwarz and Miss. Moore gives these students exposure to a handful of nice things which essentially is supposed to help the students see the value of money and Miss. Moore is aiming to teach them how an education can open these doors. The story progresses, Sylvia has a very slow change in her attitude, and she separates from Sugar after she has a realization that her current lifestyle isn't suffice. In the conversation where Miss. Moore asked them what they learned in the trip, Sugar states that all their incomes combined couldn't buy some of those toys and Sylvia doesn't comment much on this and later separates from Sugar where she goes to think about and reflect on the day. Miss. Moore always says that there is a lack of equality and that people need to take their share of the pie and Sylvia has always been very confident about herself as evidence from the text but this changes during the trip when she was hesitant and felt ashamed to go into the store. The story ends with Sylvia separating and deep reflecting based on the experience and it's evident that the trip has made a meaningful impact on Sylvia but it's just not clear what the outcome of this impact will be.

Comments

  1. VanessaFebruary 10, 2025 at 3:12 PM

    Your reflection of the story is very good. I also agree that the impact on Sylvia is not clear because we don't read about how it had affected her life, just little bits and pieces here and there. Ms. Moore's lesson on inequality proves to be true even in today's standard. Sylvia's change in her attitude did make her a little more humble, and a little more understanding towards social class, and inequality.

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