Toni Cade Bambera's The Lesson demonstrates the impact of socioeconomic class distinctions on childhood perception and development. More significantly, it demonstrates a bicultural structure in U.S. society that equates to color vs. white and to a rich vs. poor dichotomy. Sylvia is a poor, African American girl who goes with her classmates to the fine shops of Fifth Avenue. Sylvia is brought into contact with the world of privilege but also a world that seems reserved for white, wealthy individuals. This lesson is painfully brought home to Sylvia when she sees the prices of even toys, like a sailboat that is ninety-five dollars. Sylvia is disillusioned with the apparent distinctions in society based on wealth and color, but she also becom
Themes in The Lesson.... individuals like Sylvia must become determine to fight against injustice to conquer it. Bambera, Toni Cade. "The Lesson," pp. 456-462. (569 2 )
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