The Lesson's Journal

The Lesson’s Journal
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The Lesson’s Journal
The short story The Lesson written by Toni Cade Bambara (248) is about a group of African-American children confronted with economic and class distinctions for the first time when they journey from the ghetto of Harlem to Manhattan and back. Sylvia, a young African-American girl and protagonist in the story who narrates the story, is also affected by these distinctions as she learns a lesson from her neighbor Ms. Moore, who apparently shows her the financial inequalities present in the world. In the story, Bambara examines the realization of financial/economic inequity that existed in the United States in the 1960s through the eyes of Sylvia. Sylvia, who is sassy and defiant, resists the educational overtures of Ms. Moore. In this girl, Bambara creates a sensitive, proud and tough girl who is too smart to ignore the inequality realities around her, although she knows it may be easier to do so. Bamb...