Introduction
The short story “The Lesson” by Toni Cade Bambara highlights the problem of income inequality in society. The main idea of the story can be logically understood from the title. The main goal is to show how using a simple real-life example, children can be taught essential issues, including financial literacy and the economic gradation of society.
Summary of the Short Story
The story is told in the first person, Sylvia, who recalls how Miss Moore once settled nearby to teach the local children. This reclusive woman was the subject of frequent discussions behind her back and created the impression of a pious person, although she was not (Bambara 1). One day, she started the topic of money with the children, namely how much people earn and spend and how unequally money is distributed worldwide. This lesson became fascinating when Miss Moore and the children visited the shops.
While on Fifth Avenue, the children looked at the well-dressed people and showcases, negotiating prices. Of course, they needed to understand the actual value of money, and to some extent, prices were just numbers for them. For example, Sylvia suggested that the yacht was worth about $1,000, which Miss Moore said was worth investigating.
Realizing that her family could hardly afford those things, Sylvia began to resent Miss Moore. She thought her family could buy for the price of one toy. She was interested in people with so much money who could afford such things. Arriving back, Miss Moore and the children briefly discuss their impressions, the issue of financial inequality, and what it shows in the conditions of a democratic society.
Conclusion
In summary, it is a story about contrasts in life and how people deal with them. Interestingly, the children felt quite normal before going to more prosperous areas. This shows that it is inherent in people to get used to the conditions of their stay, and having nothing to compare it with, one cannot even think about the probability of another life.
Work Cited
Bambara, Toni Cade. The Lesson. Gorilla, My Love, 1972.