Economic Inequality in Toni Cade Bambaras The Lesson Essay

Sylvia and The Struggle Against Class Consciousness in Toni Cade Bambaras The Lesson 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 girls 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†¦show more content†¦Dont nobody want to go for my plan, which is to jump out at the next light and run off to the first bar-b-que we can find (308). When its time for her to pay the driver, Sugar has to tell Sylvia how much to give. Sylvias thoughts are divided between childish play and adult responsibility: her daydreaming conflicts with h er desire to respond to real situations. On the way to the F.A.O. Schwarz store, Sylvia devises a plan to escape from Miss Moores educational trip: I say we oughta get to the subway cause its cooler and besides we might meet some cute boys (308). By occupying her mind with what she would rather be doing, Sylvia creates a refuge in her mind where she is protected from uncomfortable situations. As soon as she doesnt like her circumstance, in this case a taxi ride, she counters it with an impulsive whim: Im tired of this and say so. And would much rather snatch Sugar and go to the Sunset and terrorize the West Indian kids (308). She is frustrated when her circumstances dont line up with her plans. In a similar way, Sylvia resists acknowledging the foreign world of wealth that Miss Moore and the toy store will soon introduce to her. When they arrive at the toy store, Sylvia struggles with the new class consciousness that is surfacing in her by attacking the values of high-end consumerism. While Sugar, Rosie, and Big Butt are havingShow MoreRelatedRacial Discrimination Past, Present, And Future1191 Words   |  5 Pagesdiscrimination and inequality still saturate our society in modern ways†. This quote rings true where equality in the workplace is concerned. In Toni Cade Bambara’s short story â€Å"The Lesson†, we see what social discrimination looks like through the eyes of children who are observing a wealthier part of town. In their eyes, they see and injustice and question why it is not being altered into something centered more on equality and equal opportunity. Toni Cade Bambara’s story â€Å"The Lesson† is written toRead MoreAnalysis Of The Lesson By Toni Cade Bambara1284 Words   |  6 PagesI chose to write about the Lesson by Toni Cade Bambara. 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Bambara’s works are noted for their use of traditional AAE and its support in teaching the overall â€Å"lesson† and the underlying message to the public.Read More`` Nineteen Eighty Five `` And `` The Lesson `` By Toni Cade Bambara1520 Words   |  7 Pages Inequality is an extremely prominent issue in today s society, but typically goes unnoticed by the younger generation.  Alice Walker’s short story â€Å"Nineteen Fifty-five† and â€Å"The Lesson,† by Toni Cade Bambara, both share  stories  of two innocent minds that are made aware of the racial split through personal experiences. In â€Å"Nineteen Fifty-five,† Traynor, a young white boy, receives fame and fortune from a song that was written by a black woman named Gracie Mae Still. Traynor and Gracie Mae form aRead MoreToni Cade Bambaras The Lesson : Book Analysis1382 Words   |  6 PagesBrooks, â€Å"We Real Cool,† seven delinquents quit school to engage in rebellious behavior and in Toni Cade Bambara’s â€Å"The Lesson,† a teacher takes several underprivileged children to a high-class toy shop. By using point of view, diction, and symbolism, Gwendolyn Brooks and Tone Cade Bambara show the reader why it is important to learn a nd gain knowledge. The protagonists’ perspective in Brooks and Bambara’s stories come from people who have a lack of education. The protagonists in Brook’s poem are dropoutsRead MoreThe Lesson By Toni Cade Bambara1552 Words   |  7 PagesThroughout the years knowledge and culture has been passed down within generations. Elders within the community often teach life lessons to the young adults growing up in the neighborhood. This idea still holds true today, especially in low-income communities. 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