The Lesson By Toni Cade Bambara Analysis
Toni Cade Bambara uses her story “The Lesson” to point out that America is still not an equal society because of the different income level between rich people and poor people. She considers that the different income levels people have build up the different environment they live in, and where people are born may cause who they are if Americans keep ignoring the unequal facts appear around them. (253-259) Bambara’s story gives readers a good view from poor people to look at the differences between their lives and upper levels’ lives. She clearly defines the unequal economic situation Americans are at and try to wake people up. However, she is only half right about the definition of equal life since equality is not only about physical human
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She repeatedly points out that the expenses rich people spend on child’s toys are enough for poor people to feed their whole families for a long time (255-258). The disappointment about income discrepancy makes Bambara feels that “equal chance to pursue happiness” (258) is a lie. However, happiness is not all about money, and it is not comparable. In her article, Sylvia, the main character, mentions several times that she wants to spend her nice sunny day with her friends on swimming or playing games together, but Miss Moore forces them to go with her seeing the world (Bambara 253-258). For children, their happiness is just playing with friends and having food to eat and things to wear. In the story, the thing destroys those kids’ happiness is not poor, but be forced to learn about the unequal society prematurely. People have to understand that money is not everything since one is not only has physical life but also mental life. Spiritual affluence can also bring people happiness.
Bambara clearly explain the unequal social phenomenon people have to face in this society in her article, and encourage poor people to stand up for their own rights. However, she is a little bite extreme on the relationship between happiness and money. The equal life is not only about the physical life but also the spiritual life. When people face society problems, they should think from various perspectives and rationally analysis
She repeatedly points out that the expenses rich people spend on child’s toys are enough for poor people to feed their whole families for a long time (255-258). The disappointment about income discrepancy makes Bambara feels that “equal chance to pursue happiness” (258) is a lie. However, happiness is not all about money, and it is not comparable. In her article, Sylvia, the main character, mentions several times that she wants to spend her nice sunny day with her friends on swimming or playing games together, but Miss Moore forces them to go with her seeing the world (Bambara 253-258). For children, their happiness is just playing with friends and having food to eat and things to wear. In the story, the thing destroys those kids’ happiness is not poor, but be forced to learn about the unequal society prematurely. People have to understand that money is not everything since one is not only has physical life but also mental life. Spiritual affluence can also bring people happiness.
Bambara clearly explain the unequal social phenomenon people have to face in this society in her article, and encourage poor people to stand up for their own rights. However, she is a little bite extreme on the relationship between happiness and money. The equal life is not only about the physical life but also the spiritual life. When people face society problems, they should think from various perspectives and rationally analysis