The Lesson is a short story written by the writer Toni Cade Bambara in the late 1970’s. Sylvia, the narrator of the story is a young African-American female who receives a lesson in class inequality. The setting story of begin the slums of Harlem, New York and is dated as “back in the days” which is described in the opening of the story. Throughout the story Sylvia, realizes its world outside of her neighborhood, not as similar has she once thought.
I chose the article, “Sylvia and The Struggle against Class Consciousness in Toni Cade Bambara’s “The Lesson” this article analyzes the Sarah Wiktorski writes the article and she analyzes the struggle against class-consciousness and sets the mind of the reader to think about some of the consequences of class-consciousness. It contributes to the study of literature because it helps us understand the book, “The consciousness” by Toni Bambara changes the way the reader thinks and attempts to re-conceptualize his or her understanding of representation of class-consciousness.
The writer hopes to present to the world a real picture of disadvantaged minorities and shows how on should change the world and adapt to different cycles and changes. I chose the text because like Miss Moore the writer tries to shed light on the economic injustices among classes. Class-consciousness may cause conflicts in the world; hence, if people think about it, we shall minimize conflicts largely as people will learn to accept the situations they are and work hard to change them. Sylvia’s family moved to Harlem in search of a better financial, but they find themselves living in the ghetto.
The article presents social, political, historical, and cultural aspects of life and serves the interest of researchers, religious individuals, governments, and non-governmental organizations who fight to end the issue of class conflicts in the world. It presents to us the detrimental effects of poverty in the society, as Sylvia attributes shame to poverty. The article falls in the category of narrative non-fiction texts. Rhetorical Triangle The author of the article establishes credibility by citing her credentials.
She asserts that she is conversant with the main text, “The Lesson,” by quoting from it. For example, she shows that there was conflict between Sylvia and Miss Moore. She quotes, “This nappy-head bitch and her goddamn college degree” (307), showing that Sylvia despises Miss Moore due her feeling inadequate compared to her. Sylvia scorns Miss Moore due her present representing the class inequality within Sylvia’s own neighborhood. The writer of the article also shows us Sylvia’s development. She begins to attribute shame to poverty.
She questions, “How ain’t money divided up right in this country” (308). She knows that class differences exist in the world and believes that by presenting the story of Sylvia in “The Lesson,” assist others in not letting their environment and current situation define them but give them the motivation to overcome and be the best. The writer intends to assert that if people are poor, they should realize this and work hard to change their lives. The writer is also empathetic about poor people, especially children due to them being born in situation they must be taught to do better.
This explains why she analyzes the story of Sylvia, an adolescent and the psychological changes she goes through while understanding herself. The writer uses cognitive authority to appeal to her audience. She has read Sylvia’s story and learnt from it hence wants to extend the same lesson to her audience. The writer of the article brings out the concept of compassion and understanding the poor and less fortunate in the society. Sylvia is born from a poor family. When she goes to school, she does not know that she is poor.
However, from her interaction with other kids, she starts to realize that she is different. She now knows that she is poor. She begins to question why money cannot be divided such that some goes to the poor. She cannot understand why some “simple” things are so expensive. The writer is effective in that she presents to us the issue of class differences, and how by educating children, we can change their lives for better. Sylvia only realizes that she is poor after she goes to school. Education has given her a chance to know that she is different hence; she can work harder to change her life.
The emotional appeals are effective to the reader, who could be an educationist who should understand some of the psychological changes young adolescents go through especially with regard to identifying themselves. The writer uses logical appeals to influence the overall effectiveness of the text. The writer convinces her audience that class-consciousness exists. There are those people like Sylvia who are consciousness of their situations though they do not want to accept. When the writer wants to show us that class differences cause denial in people, she presents Sylvia leaving the toy store.
Sylvia is confused in an array of emotions. She is angry, envious, and confused. Sylvia finds herself in a situation she has never been before. She does not want to admit that she is poor and disadvantaged because this will hurt her pride. The article quotes from the book to convince the audience. Sylvia finds her poor situation shameful but cannot accept. She says, “aint nobody gonna beat me at nuthin” (312). Discussion This text is effective to the audience because it sparks in them the issue of class-consciousness and the effects it could have on somebody, especially a young adolescent.
The writer presents a young adolescent who is in her initial stages of life. Initially, she does not know that she is poor, but from her interactions with Miss Moore and the other rich kids, she becomes aware of her environment. She is however reluctant to accept that she is disadvantaged which a positive character is. It is surprising to note that believes she is the best despite realizing that she is disadvantaged. She portrays a positive character when she says, “aint nobody gonna beat me at nuthin. ” She is different from any people who would feel this affects their ego. She is focused on remaining upbeat that she is the best among all of her friends. Conclusion Class differences exist in the world all over. It is not a new thing. It is important for people to be conscious of their backgrounds and situations, like Sylvia. However, they should not let their backgrounds define them.
Despite Sylvia’s feelings of inferiority she remained upbeat it clear no one was going beat her at anything. This will help them remain focused on their goals. ther than rant that they are poor or disadvantaged. This will help people in their daily lives and interactions to become better. Rhetorical analysis is a branch in literature where critical reading and thinking is necessary which is much needed in the field of nursing. In rhetorical analysis, the reader analyzes the author, the audience, the subject, and rhetorical appeals with respect to ethos, logos, and pathos. This analysis helps the reader develop of trusting and understanding relationship with the audience so they are able tom fully accept and understand the text.
