Toni Cade Bambara's "The Lesson," is a story about a young girl growing up in the ghetto who learns a valuable life lesson. The lesson learned is taught by Ms. Moore, the only educated woman in the neighborhood. The narrator of the story, Sylvia, and a group of other underprivileged children are taken to an upscale part of the city that they have never seen before. The children go into F.A.O. Schwarz, an expensive toy store. At the store the children feel out of place-there is no way their families could ever afford the expensive toys on display. For Sylvia, this trip marks the first time in her life that she realizes her family has very little compared to others, especially in comparison to white families. The change in both Sylvia's thoughts and actions throughout the story are a testament to what she has learned from Ms. Moore. It also gives evidence to Sylvia's acceptance of this lesson about economic inequality. Ms. Moore's lesson changes Sylvia's perspective, and thus Sylvia has a greater chance of being successful in life.
             Sylvia's lack of understanding about life and the world in general is apparent by her attitude at the beginning of the story. Sylvia has a tough, sassy attitude towards everything and everyone. She speaks in coarse language that reflects her upbringing, or lack thereof. The language demonstrates how hard this little girl actually is. Sylvia has built up a thick skin to protect herself from the adversities of poverty and the rest of the world as she knows it. She shuts out anything or anyone that might hurt her. Sylvia's tough front also earns her respect from the other children in her neighborhood. She lives in a part of the city where respect and power are essential, because people in the ghetto do not own many possessions for others to envy. Although Sylvia has heard from others that her family is poor, she has never paid it any mind, because everyone she kn...