Everyone Can Learn Children learn in all different ways: some by visuals, some by auto, and some by hands on interaction. Often time babies begin to walk by eighteen months, but sometimes they begin at nine months. The short story, “The Lesson”, by Toni Cade Bambara is filled with all types of metaphors that lead to one thing, the theme. Every child is teachable, but each child learns in their own way and at their own pace. The author expresses this in three ways: the lessons that Miss Moore teaches, the way she teaches, and how the children react to the lessons. The author expresses quite a few lessons to support her theme and she uses the character Miss Moore to bring out her point. Miss Moore teaches
…show more content…
The author uses Miss Moore and Sylvia, another character in the story, to teach readers a lesson on self-defeat. This idea is supported by Janet Carey Eldred who writes; “ the …show more content…
For instance, Miss Moore uses the microscope as a metaphor for the lesson on enjoying what one has worked for. “And Miss Moore say no, you never outgrow learning instruments” (Bambara 171). The author is not trying to get readers to see that learning instruments are eternal. However; she is trying to say that one will never outgrow something that he has worked hard to obtain or achieve. Miss Moore teaches the lesson of opportunity by presenting the children with an opportunity. “Only she don’t lead the way” (Bambara 173). The author is trying to get readers to see that other people can only lead them so far; they have to be brave enough to take the opportunity that are presented to them. Miss Moore brings them to the store and tells them to go in, but she is not going to open the door for them. They must take the first step on their own. The author’s lesson of self-defeat is taught in the most indirect way of all. Throughout the story there seems to be a conflict between Miss Moore and Sylvia. Miss Moore is trying to teach Sylvia, but Sylvia is rejecting everything. “Anybody learn anything?” (Bambara 175). Miss Moore is trying to show Sylvia that the only one she is defeating is herself. Eldred agrees; she writes; “Sylvia it seems, has learned from Miss Moore about a different “competition”, another race that she is losing”(Howell 511). This competition that Eldred is referring
The author uses Miss Moore and Sylvia, another character in the story, to teach readers a lesson on self-defeat. This idea is supported by Janet Carey Eldred who writes; “ the …show more content…
For instance, Miss Moore uses the microscope as a metaphor for the lesson on enjoying what one has worked for. “And Miss Moore say no, you never outgrow learning instruments” (Bambara 171). The author is not trying to get readers to see that learning instruments are eternal. However; she is trying to say that one will never outgrow something that he has worked hard to obtain or achieve. Miss Moore teaches the lesson of opportunity by presenting the children with an opportunity. “Only she don’t lead the way” (Bambara 173). The author is trying to get readers to see that other people can only lead them so far; they have to be brave enough to take the opportunity that are presented to them. Miss Moore brings them to the store and tells them to go in, but she is not going to open the door for them. They must take the first step on their own. The author’s lesson of self-defeat is taught in the most indirect way of all. Throughout the story there seems to be a conflict between Miss Moore and Sylvia. Miss Moore is trying to teach Sylvia, but Sylvia is rejecting everything. “Anybody learn anything?” (Bambara 175). Miss Moore is trying to show Sylvia that the only one she is defeating is herself. Eldred agrees; she writes; “Sylvia it seems, has learned from Miss Moore about a different “competition”, another race that she is losing”(Howell 511). This competition that Eldred is referring