The Lesson By Toni Cade Bambara

In The Lesson by Toni Cade Bambara, a group of uneducated children learn about the injustice of the distribution of wealth. Using symbolism, the author is able to educate the children and the audience of the importance of fighting for their share of the dream through the use of Miss Moore, the toy store, and their diction. Miss Moore is a college graduate who has seen life outside of the ghetto. “Miss Moore was her name. The only woman on the block with no first name”.

Rights and equality for any race, gender, or wealth class defines social justice. Three short stories that perfectly express social justice are “Saboteur,” “A Worn Path,” and “The Lesson.” In the story “Saboteur” the antagonist is a police officer who treats the protagonist unjustly. The social justice issue being portrayed is social inequality. Social inequality occurs when everyone in society does not have equal rights because of their race, age, or gender.

Jared Keim Mr. Bowne AP English III November 19, 2016 Teaching the Lesson of Inequality The television is on. The bottom line reads, “ Black unarmed teenager killed walking down a street at night-- top anonymous executive says the gender wage gap is because one week at of every month, women are irrational due to their period.” Gender and racial inequality is a problem faced by society throughout time. In Toni Cade Bambara’s, “The Lesson,” the divide between the black American children, and the privileged, upper class white children is used to demonstrate social inequality.

“It is impossible to outplay an opponent you can’t outthink.” This quote by Lawson Little can be used to explain how in The Power of One, by Bryce Courtenay, Peekay’s ability to outthink his opponents is what drives him to victory. Furthermore, it does not have to be boxing that he out-thinks his opponents, there are numerous times where Peekay is shown thinking ahead of some situations saving him from misfortune, as well as outsmarting his opponents eventually leading him to victory. Peekay illustrates his intelligence by thinking ahead of situations, which in the end result, benefit him the most. To start off, with the judge on the brink of failing, Peekay “cast [his] mind back to when [he] had done the judges homework, just like that”

Yin Xiang Lit/Writ Ms. Dery Block 1 Febuary 5, 2018 Poetry Perspectives Essay “The problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story.” - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Adichie explains that while stereotypes show one view of a someone, it doesn’t all of the views of that person.

Over there by the table” I came back with a platter of the cookies. We sat and ate enjoying the lemonade and cookies. I told her that I had specifically made them for her. Watching her stuff the entire cake in her mouth was entertaining, although, I showed no sign that I was entertained. Slowly eating, I began talking about her “lessons in living.”

All readers have come across the stereotypical character who is charming, good-looking, and the savior of the story and our hearts, but that is present in commercial fiction. In literary fiction, characters are something greater and deeper. In literary fiction, characterization is considered one of the most important elements in an author’s work. Characterization is the concept of creating a character.

In Anne Moody’s autobiography, Coming of Age in Mississippi, she discusses the hardships that “negroes” faced during a time when segregation was prevalent. Anne Moody, or Essie Mae, as she was often referred to in the book, was a black rights activist. Certain events lead her to be such a strong advocate for African Americans. Her first memory of being separated from white people was at the movie theatre. Children were the last to see color, so they did not realize how sternly the segregation was enforced.

“Let no one come to you without leaving better and happier.” stated Mother Teresa, wholly summing up the purpose of her life mission: to become poor to help the poor. Most would agree that this quote is uplifting, and yes inspiring. However, Something Beautiful for God, a biography relating Mother Teresa’s life written by Malcolm Muggeridge, could have been so much more inspiring if the author had restrained himself from adding his own personal insights and draining sentimentality. A biography should be written as impartially as is humanly possible in order to uphold the original facts of the subject’s life, to convey inspiration to whomever finds it himself, and to avoid cluttering or adding anything to the concise message of a remarkable person’s story.

Sylvia will never admit it; she’s too stubborn. Not only does Sylvia not want to admit she learned a lesson, she doesn’t want her friends admitting it as well. As Sugar starts answering Miss Moore’s question, Sylvia “[stands] on her foot so she don’t continue” (Bambara 5). Sylvia does not want Miss Moore to believe she is right and her teachings are effective. As for Sammy, his stubbornness is shown when he quits his job.

In the story it is late spring and she is on summer get-away. Summer excursion for Sylvia is investing energy at the recreation center, at the show, and at the pool. This maysound alright, yet as Silvia portrays it the recreation center is brimming with alcoholic bums. The apartmentwhere she lives is additionally covered with bums all through the stairwells and foyers of her loft building, in all likelihood situated in a project. Various symbols are used in “The Lesson,” by Toni Cade Bambara, to represent the social and economic inequality faced by the children in this story.

In fact, as the author in this story, Toni Cade Bambara, Sylvia grew up in a very poor neighborhood. Sylvia’s understanding of the world is limited to what she experiences within her neighborhood and her tiny apartment. Scarcity and want are no strangers to her. Luckily, Sylvia and the other kids have Miss Moore as a mentor. Miss Moore begins to work within the kids’ environment to enrich them inasmuch as possible with education.

Stereotyping is a crucial tool towards human beings. People can be much attached to the idea of stereotypes, because they tend to gather and back up their stories from their own experiences. And people are all guilty for creating a single story, whether it’s on purpose or not. How would people see the world if there was no such thing as a “single story”? In her speech, “The Danger of a Single Story”, Chimamanda Ngozi Achidie, is a writer from Nigeria, and she defines herself as a storyteller.

To come together through the Church means people all become one and are united together to serve and to be open for all. To think with the Church is the same thing, to be united with everyone, and not to just be secluded for a specific group. In A Big Heart Open to God by American Magazine written by Antonio Spadaro, Pope Francis is quoted, "This church with which we should be thinking is the home of all,... " When we think of the Church we know that it is fruitful and has sanctity. When we think of the Church it is fruitful because it is welcomed for all and is there to help anyone.

In the article “The Essentials of a Good Education” by Diana Ravitch is trying to convey that the time in school for students should be used wisely. I completely agree with this article because students take their time to study for tests which is a way to test their abilities. Due to this test, they determine where is the actual place for the student which is not the right way. When I attended my school in Russia, we did have Tests, but they were not the main importance of the education system. Schools in Russia try to teach students not just the basic skills, but how to make rational choices and be prepared for the real life.