The Lesson by Tony Cade Bambara Essay Example

like pieces of mail ready to learn something new about life.

Another symbol that catches the attention of the children at a toy store is a toy sailboat. Sailboats are used to embark on journeys in the sea and seek new experiences. Therefore, this sailboat symbolizes the children being sent out into life with an opportunity to discover new experiences.

The children also come across a microscope while observing various toys at the store. A microscope is utilized for viewing invisible bacteria and serves as a reminder for these children to examine their own lives and gain understanding about their economic circumstances.

Sylvia specifically takes interest in a clown toy which she sees as nothing more than a joke. However, due to its price tag of $35 during that time period, it becomes expensive for her family. This leads Sylvia to contemplate how her family could make use of that $35 by considering what nutrients or items they could acquire with it. The clown serves as both a source of amusement but also reminds Sylvia about economic realities.

Each character in this story has their own unique portrayal and personality traits. Additionally, each child responds differently upon exposure to different toys within the store setting.

Furthermore, our protagonist Sylvia demonstrates not only stubbornness and ill-mannered behavior but also displays cleverness by stealing four dollars from Miss Moore's cab fare."Despite Sylvia's complaints and criticisms towards Miss Moore, she acknowledges the valuable lesson she learned from her visits to F.A.O Schwartz. However, she chooses not to disclose this realization to Miss Moore. At the conclusion of the story, Sylvia confidently declares that no one will surpass her in any endeavor. This statement

signifies her understanding that she must exert more effort to compete with those who have greater economic advantages than her. Sylvia's anger towards the store reflects her difficulty in perceiving her own economic standing accurately.

Although the lesson presented by Miss Moore seems like a painful experience for Sylvia and the other children, it ultimately proves to be beneficial as it motivates them to work harder and enhance their lives. On page 2001, Miss Moore discusses money and their economic disadvantage; however, Sylvia appears to disagree with this idea as she engages in an argument with Miss Moore until their taxi arrives. The children initially do not respond well to Miss Moore's lectures but gain a better understanding of the lesson after they encounter firsthand the realities of their economic situation.

The behavior displayed by the children indicates that although learning a lesson may be challenging for them, it remains vital for their growth. When they express dissatisfaction about being unable to purchase a toy, their complaints reveal disparities in their economic circumstances. Mercedes emerges as the sole individual with positive thoughts amidst them all.The text discusses the observations made on various pages of a book called "The Lesson." On page 2002, Mercedes mentions having letter paper and a desk, while the others claim not to have a desk for a paperweight. On page 2004, Mercedes is excluded from the group when she states that she will return to the store once she has enough money. Flyboy appears to be the poorest child in the group as he mentions not having a home (2002). However, it is evident that the group does not favor those who are

too rich or too poor. Sylvia believes that white people only pity Flyboy when he mentions his lack of housing. Furthermore, Mercedes is excluded from their circle because she possesses enough resources. This highlights how the children are becoming aware of economic disparities and injustices in their supposedly democratic country. The challenges faced by these children can be observed in "The Lesson." Despite it being difficult for them, author Bambara uses child characters as they have greater potential to adapt to future economic circumstances. Although witnessing their less privileged economic situations may cause pain for these children, teaching them valuable lessons will help them remember what actions they can take to improve their lives.