The Lesson
There is risk taken when introducing a deprived child to a world of lavishly expensive items and unattainable attractions. Some may accept what they have seen, and accept their situation. Others may grow stronger, rise above their circumstances, and flourish. Fortunatley for Sylvia, she has the ability to grow. In the short story "The Lesson," by Toni Cade Bambara, Sylvia has the strength to succeed through her leadership, her curiosity, and her fear that is ignited with courage. Sylvia understands success will not lower it's standard to her, so she must raise her standards to succeed. The leadership displayed by Sylvia will enable her to succeed in any environment she is faced with. The idea of her being the leader of her friends is clear on numerous occasions during the story. On top there was Sylvia, then Sugar, then the rest. For instance, when Miss Moore, the educated older friend and teacher of the kids, was putting the kids into the taxicabs, she handed the money directly to Sylvia, showing a trust in the leader. While at the toy store, Sylvia realizes that she can not afford anything in the store, and is angry with Miss Moore. With her simple words "let's go," they are soon back at the mai
Sylvia's fanatical curiosity is also what will enable her to succeed. In her case, her curiosity is followed with a will to learn. Whatever questions she has, she immediately addresses to herself, and if she is not satisfied, she will confide in others. A great deal of her curiosity is shown on the way home, when she was contemplating the day to herself. First, to get an idea of where she stood in this world, she inquires within herself what the response would be of her mother, even if she asked for a cheaper toy there; a clown for thirty-five dollars. "You wanna who, that costs what"(222) Meanwhile, there are people spending more money than Sylvia thinks can last a lifetime, just on s simple sailboat. These ideas have led Sylvia to a conclusion on the lesson being taught by Miss Moore. That there is more out there, and that if she sits back and accepts her place in society, she will never be a part of the world that pays that kind of money for a sailboat. The way that she addresses these relevant questions to herself will only help her succeed in life; whether poor or rich, young or old. At the finale, she is sure of one thing "...ain't nobody gonna beat me at nuthin..."(223) And they never will. hands on it. "Courage is not the absence of fear, rather there judgment that something else is more important than fear."(Ambrose Redmond) lboxes, exactly where they started. In the
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Approximate Word count = 943
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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