Lesson
Essay on The Lesson by Toni Cade Bambara Toni Cade Bambara's The Lesson is a very well written piece of history. This is a story from yesterday, when Harlem children didn't have good education or the money to spring for it. Bambara's tale tells about a little girl who doesn't really know how to take it when a good teacher finally does come along. This girl's whole life is within the poverty stricken area and she doesn't see why she must try hard. The teacher, Miss Moore, shows them what it is all about by taking them to a rich toy store, one in which a single toy costs more than year's supply of food. We immediately learn that Miss Moore is not the average Harlem teacher. She is educated herself, along with being very opinionated. The children explain that she has nappy hair and no makeup, probably signifying that she was a part of the Afri
Miss Moore finally leads the kids to the toy store. Instead they tell her to shut up about it. The best part of the narration is the voice. Miss Moore drives the point home by leading them to the fact that one toy costs as much as their family eats in a year. The lines that are read are in the dialect of the girl. Although they know they are poor, it doesn't bother them because everyone there is poor. The once brave and proud and strong children were hobbled at the door, none of which wanting to go in first. In a way the children were innocent before Miss Moore came along. The children seemed to know they couldn't afford the toys, but they didn't think they would be off by much. An example of this is seen when the children talk of their study areas at home. The first thing learned is that poverty is a way of life for these children. Miss Moore was more than arithmetic and spelling. Here is the point where they get slapped in the face. This gives the voice a poetic rhythm that keeps the story flowing.
Common topics in this essay:
Miss Moore,
Bambara's Lesson,
miss moore,
African American,
Toni Cade,
toy store,
toni cade,
toy costs,
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