Lesson MLA Sample

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The Lesson

“The Lesson” by Toni Cade Bambara features the elements of income inequality in the

society. Largely the lesson on an existence of varying levels of income in the author’s society is

brought forth using a visit to the toys shop. Income inequality identifies as the case where people

in a particular location or a country have varying wealth levels it is a situation where certain

people have higher living standards while other live in poor standards. In the society, income

inequality is a major directly associated with the existence of people of different social classes.

In that, the society is characterized by rich and poor people. The paper will discuss various

elements are as they are highlighted by the author to reveal aspects of income inequality in the

story “The Lesson.”

One of the aspects that associate to the level of income that people have is their

neighborhood. In this case, the author creates the imagery of an area characterized by slums. It is

described that the apartments spread gradual to breathe (Bambara 1). In line with this, the form

of housing marks either an individual as rich or poor. The low earning individuals will be found

in slums where there are poor housing and houses that are poorly build close to each other. Then

there is the mode of dressing whereby clothing although a basic need it is a challenge to low

earning personnel. In the story, Mrs. Moore is identified as a teacher, and unlike the other

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individuals in the society, she is better. The author explains that Miss Moore always looked like

she was going to church which implies that she was always well dressed (Bambara 1). Since she

could afford better clothes, it is the reason why the author explains that the grown-ups would talk

about her behind her back. In this context, the author compares their way of dressing and that of

the other people in the society to that of Miss Moore implying that there was a difference.

Moreover, education relates to the level of income. It is that there are more chances for a

high earning person to access education than a poor person. The case is noted by Miss Morre

who is said to have a college degree. Also, the author describes the manner in which some of the

children would go looking what other brought for lunch. In particular, the author notes the case

of Q.T who brought potato chips and Fat Batt who brought peanut butter and jelly sandwich

(Bambara 1). Additionally, the case of Junebug pinching Q.T to be given potato chips implies

the case differences in accessing food. It is that some of the children have access to better food

while others have to rely on their friends to taste some sought of food. Also, the mode of

transport that they have to use while going to the toys shop they have to use the cabs since they

do not have their car or a school car (Bambara 2).

When at the shop they come across a microscope which Big Butt says that he would buy.

The author uses this scenario to how his low level of income. It is described that the price tag of

the microspore was $300 and when Miss Moore asks the time it would take for Junebug and Big

butt to save they say it would be very long (Bambara 2). The fact that Sugar mentions that it

would take too long such that it would have outgrown implies that their families earn little. Also,

there is the case of paperweight whose price is $480. The author describes that he does not find

the since in such thing costing as much. It is an instance that further reveals as their background

when Mss Moore asks them about having a letter opener, bottler, a pencil or calendar on their

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desk at home (Bambara 3). At this instance, the children express what they lack and these further

reveals elements of poverty. Junebug states that she does not have a desk while fly boy states that

he does not have a home. On the contrary, Mercedez states that she has a desk and a box of

stationery. She further states that’s he has a picture of her cat on the desk. The description

reveals that Mercedez comes from a better family than the rest of the others in the group.

Different studies a reveal that the crimes and indiscipline activities that a person engages

in relating to where they come from. The author describes and instance where together with

Sugar they went to a church where they intended to run up at the altar do a dance (Bambara 4).

While she danced sugar was to play the nose flute and spoil the holly water the details of the act

reveals that they must come from neighborhood characterized by such behavioral aspects

especially a slum. The author describes a tricky toy she saw in the store, and it did cost $35. The

author expresses her hopes and dream as having the toy for the birthday gift. He envisions asking

him other $35 for the toy and the way she would reply to him. He notes that the $35 would buy

an extra bed in their house which means they do not have enough; it could visit their grandfather

which means it is long since they went to visit. Furthermore, he notes that the $35 would pay the

piano bill and rent which means it is a lot for their family.

Additionally, the author expresses disbelief in the presence of people who spends $1000

on toy sailboats. He wonders where such people work or what kind of work. Furthermore, the

author does not understand why they are not in such a group (Bambara 5). Furthermore, the

author shows that they belong to the low-income earners due to the happiness he feels to have

remained with the four dollars. To conclude their visit the author quotes what sugar into Miss

Moore. Sugar says that she does not think that all of them in a year eat the amount that the

sailboats cost (Bambara 5). Noting that they are approximately six, this shows that they are from

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humble backgrounds. According to sugar, there is no democracy in a country where some people

can spend on a toy could feed six to seven people. At this point, it is clear that the journey to

store is aimed at exploring the differences that exist in the society. The children wish that they

had such money to buy the toys that attracted them. They also relate to their birthdays hoping to

gather enough amounts to visiting the shop and buy their favorite toys, however, they all desire

toys that are not even up to $100.

In conclusion, the story accurately manifests the aspects of income inequality in society.

The author through noting points surrounding his life that his friends and other children manage

to reveal that they all belong to a poor background. Although, there is some varying extent of

poverty such that Mercedez who seems to be better than the others since she has a desk and

others do not have. Nonetheless, they all belong to the same social class. Furthermore¸ the plot of

the story is more on visiting the store. In the store, they find that even the cheapest of the toys

they cannot afford since they are all poor. To make matters worse they conclude that there are

toys worth more than what all of them can consume for a year.

Work cited

Bambara, Toni Cade. "The lesson." Gorilla, my love (1972): 85-96.

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