Sylvia's Self Discovery in 'The Lesson'

Introduction

“The Lesson” is a short story written by African-American writer Toni Cade Bambara, born as Miltona Mirkin Cade on March 25, 1939. Bambara was known for her upbeat way of telling a story, which is depicted in this short story about social inequality through the eyes of a little girl. An analysis of Toni Cade Bambara's “The Lesson” examines the plot, characters and themes found in the story.

“The Lesson" Toni Cade Bambara notifies an article through the eyes of Sylvia, an impoverished, communally illiterate, juvenile young female, lodging in a typical African American neighborhood. Miss Moore, who continues altruistic all through the article, accepts as factual in the young children dwelling round her and trial to give them recommendations, for the White overridden world they reside. Sylvia's ignorance directs her to accept as factual that she is in command of her own life and that she desires assist from no one. Also, Sylvia takes the function of the foremost interior her assembly of associates, where she bullies and overseers round the others. The story is about more than simply racial or economic inequalities, it is about the importance of being open to all of life's lessons and the value of learning itself.

Discussion

In the story, the economic inequality in the 1960s is realized by a young girl named Sylvia. She is the main character of the story. Bambara created a tough, proud and sensitive young girl who chooses to ignore the harsh realities of the world and lives in the world of her own (Troyka, 67). Sylvia is very perspective, and through the help of the other characters, created by Bambara, she explores, and understands the major issues which are faced by the poor minorities in the United States. Sylvia is like a typical student who has no interest in learning what Miss Moore tries to teach them. She and her friends make fun of Miss Moore and get out of hand calling Miss Moore such names as 'nappy head bitch', 'stupid' and 'old'. Also, Sylvia refers to her teacher mockingly when she is describing her “... And quite naturally we laugh at her {...]... And she was black as hell, cept for her feet, which were fish-white and spooky [...](Bambara, 2007, 647).” Bambra, with the help of the main character, Sylvia manages to communicate to the readers the lessons which one does not learn in school. Throughout the growing up process, an individual learns many valuable lessons in their lives, which change their, life perspectives. Sometimes, a certain incident changes or transforms a person's live unexpectedly or abruptly.

The same thing happens to Sylvia which leads towards the self discovering process of the character. Sylvia is shown in the story as a tough girl and clearly the leader among her friends. One day, in a lesson by her teacher, Mrs. Moore, she learns about the inference of wealth and social class in our society. Sylvia tries hard to resist that lesson, which is why the changes that ...