The Theme Of Inequality In The Lesson By Toni Cade Bambara

In Toni Cade Bambara’s short story “The Lesson,” Miss Moore, an eccentric and odd woman that had “been to college” and found herself, “responsible for the young ones’ education” and takes them out (Bambara 330). One summer day, Miss Moore takes the local children out for some education; she takes Sylvia, Sugar, Flyboy, Junebug, Big Butt, Mercedes, and Rosie Giraffe out to the city. The story is narrated by Sylvia as they take a taxi to Fifth Avenue where there are many wealthy people. They go to F.A.O. Schwarz, an expensive toy store where they see a fiberglass sailboat. Sylvia is hesitant to enter, but when she does it angers her. After they return to where they live, Sylvia is still angry, and Miss Moore asks what they learned, but she doesn’t say anything, although she thinks to herself at the end of the story “Ain’t nobody gonna beat me at nuthin” (Bambara 336). In “The Lesson” there is a theme of injustice and how it affects each child differently. Miss more makes the children aware of a divide in the story; this can be seen through the use of conflict, imagery, and character transformation. “The Lesson” has a theme of inequality due to the economic divide in America. People don’t see inequality unless they experience the other side of …show more content…
It shows a young girls realization that there isn’t an equal chance for all. The story highlights flawed aspects of culture, it should not keep you down. There is a frustration seen within the main character and that the frustration can be channeled to positive outlooks. Bambara’s use of conflict, imagery, and character help develop a complex plot of social inequality and how a divide in minorities in America can leave them frustrated. It takes an outside source to learn a lesson some times. People don’t see inequality unless they experience the other side of wealth, this can be seen through the use of conflict, imagery, and character