A Clash of Cultures: Symbolism in "The Lesson"
             In the beginning of "The Lesson" the narrator fits into no adult society. She is unaware of the relative poverty that she and all her friends are living in; she does not understand her place in her own society. "The Lesson" uses symbols – specifically Miss Morre as a representation of the proud poor culture, the toy doll as a representation of rich society, and the taxi ride as a journey between these two societies – to depict the narrator's realization of a different society and understanding of her own place in society.
             Miss Moore is a representation of the stereotypical older proud and poor society. She takes great pride in herself like the culture she represents; she walks down the street holding her head high (Bombara 307). She insist that the children give the cab driver an appropriate tip – a reflection of proud society's value of etiquette and courticity. Miss Moore teaches the children a lesson each week; this symbolizes the older generation's desire to pass their values and knowledge to their young. The children in "The Lesson" laugh and otherwise ridicule Miss Moore (307); this is because they do not yet belong to this proud poor society and do not fully understand it.
             The toy clown and other toys in the department store represent a culture which sharply contrasts to the society of Miss Moore – the culture of rich excess. These toys extremely high cost and marginal usefulness make them available only to the extreme upper-class as petty displays of their wealth. They have little to do with basic necessities – much like the rich class who have always takes basic comforts for granted.
             The taxi ride from the children's impoverished neighborhood to the fancy department store literally and figuratively takes them from the proud poor society to the rich excessive culture. For the cab ride they are given more money then is actual...