The Lesson

I read a short story titled, “The Lesson” by Toni Cade Bambara and it follows this street girl named Sylvia who just wants to play instead of hearing lessons about the world from a lady named Ms. Moore. We are told that Ms. Moore has a college degree, is well dressed most of the times, and has a good command on her language. She seems to be a kind of a person who has seen the world, someone who has experienced life, and wants to use that experience in providing the children with an opportunity. In my opinion, she seems like a wonderful person because not many people look back at their community when they’re in a better position. I appreciate that Ms. Moore tried to teach the children about their living conditions and how it’s unfair when many other people are living a better life with no care for them. 

The story created awareness for the adolescents about what life has to offer. The fact that many of the children and even their parents accepting the realities of life to such an extent that they just lack concern for their situation. However, in this situation, Mrs. Moore provides the knowledge required for the kids to realize their god given right to something better. At times, she asks the children to question the way of things and realize that they are not receiving enough of the prosperity that they deserve to have. We see that as society, we struggle against new ideas, and so did the children. In the end, we realize that Mrs. Moore is trying to open their eyes to the world around them, when she takes them on a trip around the expensive shopping shops of the city. 

As Mrs. Moore takes them through these areas, we get the impression that Sylvia gets angry. Ever since the beginning the narrator, Sylvia didn’t like Mrs. Moore that much because she wanted to go play in the pool or have fun instead of learning about the world and equality. However, during her time at the shop, she discovers a fiber glass boat that is worth a thousand dollars. Although it didn’t sound as shocking, I tried equating it to ten thousand dollars to get a better picture. But, that's when we see the first signs things changing in the group.