The Lesson

The story The Lesson, by Toni Cade Bambara, is about a girlish misfire named Sylvia who is accompanied by a group of her friends from her neighborhood and her elderly neighbor named Ms. Moore, who tries to teach each of them a lesson about life. The Lesson is a realistic story that takes place in the mid-20th century that exemplifies the true difference in the midst of upper and lower classes during that time period. Although Sylvia might come away as a mean and self-asserting junior-grade girl, you can tell at the end that there is something deeper to Sylvia when she begins to invent on her ay with Ms.Moore and genuinely collide withms to pass water something out of the situation and you can tell Just how much(prenominal) sharp of an observer she sincerely yours is. end-to-end the entire story, it is clearly fancyn that Sylvia is a mean girl. Right when Ms. Moore is introduced at the beginning of the story, Sylvia describes how she feels about her. And we kinda hated her (Bambara 60). She also says, And Im really hating this nappy head bitch (Bambara 60). Although Ms. Moore is doing the children all a favor, Sylvia doesnt dependm to care and doesnt level(p) want to give her a chance.Another example for when Sylvia shows Just how mean she could be is correct when she starts talking to Ms. Moore with all the other kids about bills and about them going to the toy store, Sylvia mentions other things that she would rather be doing instead. And would much rather snatch Sugar and go to the Sunset and terrorize the West Indian kids and take their hairs-breadth ribbons and their money too (Bambara 61). Not only does Sylvia come across as a rude little girl towards her peers and to the people she actually knows, but to other random children.She comes off as the neighborhood bully. superfluous proof to show Just how mean Sylvia can be is when she asks Ms. Moore why she brought all of them to the toy store. Ms. Moore bonnie simply tells Sylvia that she sounds angry and wonders why she is mad. Im mad, but I wont give her the satisfaction (Bambara 64). Even when Ms. Moore Just tries to see what is bothering Sylvia, she has an attitude. Although it was Just a simple question, and Ms. Moore didnt mean it in a mean way, Sylvia still has to come off as this rude little girl.Even at the really beginning of The Lesson, you can already tell that Sylvia is a very ocky person. The author opens up the story showing a clear view of Just how self-asserting Sylvia can be. Everyone was old and stupid or young and foolish and me and Sugar were the only ones Just right (Bambara 60). Sylvia is implying that when it comes to her friends and everyone else she is surrounded by, she is ultimately better than them all. Sylvias close minded assertive attitude is also shown when Ms.Moore is discussing money with the children. Sylvia acts as if she knows everything and Ms. Moore is ignorant for even off bringing up such a simple subject about how mo ney works. And Miss Moore asking us if we know what money is, like, a bunch of retards (Bambara 60). Considering Ms. Moore is trying to do the young children a the way of her retaining the true value out of what Ms. Moore has to say. More proof to show Just how cocky Sylvia is, is at the very end of the story. After the daylight is done with Ms.Moore, the children decide they are going to go to Hascombs and excite cream sodas. Sylvias cousin, Sugar asks her if she would like the race down there. She can run if she want to and even run faster. But aint nobody gonna beat me at nuthin (Bambara 65). Considering everything she had Just gone through and getting a reality check about life, Sylvia is still so convinced that she is the best. This shows just how much confidence she truly has in herself but at the same time her high level of confidence is easily mistaken for cockiness.Although Sylvias attitude often gets the best of her and she seems to be Just a rude little girl, at the v ery end of the story you can tell that there is much more to her than you might think of. You can get a better understanding of Just how sharp of a girl she truly is after the day with Ms. Moore comes to an end. When the children all decide to go get cream sodas at Hascombs, Sylvia decides to not Join in with the bear of them. You can tell she has a lot going through her mind after getting a taste of reality by Ms. Moore. Im going to the West End and because over to the Drive to think this day through (Bambara 65).You can assume that although Sylvia is too stubborn to admit that she has actually gotten something out of that day, she keeps to herself and decides to reflect on what she had been introduced. Another time that Sylvia seems to let her guard down and kind of shows how she is observant to her urroundings is when she is about to move into the toy store. She doesnt understand what the big deal is about going inside but at the same time she Just doesnt feel comfortable abo ut going in. But I feel funny, take down (Bambara 63). At this point Sylvia begins to realize that there is something to this trip to the toy store. For a second she doesnt feel as cocky and is almost insecure with herself to where she cant bring herself enough courage to Just walk into the toy store. It seems that Ms. Moores lesson does actually affect Sylvia in the long run. She ets her mean, cocky demeanor down Just long enough to show the reader that she actually did get something out of that day.Considering the fact that she does only have that brief second of where you see her whole attitude change, you can understand Just how set in her ways she truly is. From glide path off as a rude little girl throughout the entire story and then all of a sudden for that short time you get to see her actually take what she axiom into consideration, you can get a better idea that there is more to Sylvia than what is illustrated to the reader throughout the continuance of the story.