Character analysis of sylvia in the lesson. Character analysis of sylvia in the lesson Free Essays 2022-10-16

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In Toni Cade Bambara's short story "The Lesson," Sylvia is a complex and multifaceted character who serves as the protagonist and narrator. Through her thoughts and actions, we see a young woman who is fiercely independent, intelligent, and deeply aware of the injustices and inequalities in the world around her.

At the beginning of the story, Sylvia is a rebellious and resistant teenager who resists the efforts of Miss Moore, a well-educated and socially conscious woman, to teach her and her peers about their place in society. Sylvia is quick to challenge Miss Moore's authority and dismiss the value of the "lesson" that she is trying to impart. However, as the story progresses, we see Sylvia begin to grapple with the harsh realities of class and race that Miss Moore has tried to bring to her attention.

One of the most striking aspects of Sylvia's character is her intelligence and curiosity. Despite her initial resistance to Miss Moore's teachings, she is clearly engaged by the material and asks thoughtful and insightful questions. This intelligence is also evident in her ability to recognize the injustices and inequalities that exist in the world around her. For example, she notes the contrast between the opulent Fifth Avenue store that they visit and the dilapidated state of the neighborhood in which they live.

In addition to her intelligence, Sylvia is also fiercely independent and determined. She is not afraid to speak her mind and challenge authority, even when it means going against the wishes of her peers or the expectations of society. This determination is evident in her refusal to be cowed by Miss Moore's lessons, as well as in her decision to shoplift from the store as a form of resistance against the injustice of its high prices.

Despite her rebelliousness and determination, Sylvia is also a deeply compassionate and empathetic character. She is deeply moved by the plight of the poor and disadvantaged, and is willing to stand up for those who are marginalized and oppressed. This is seen in her support of Sugar, a younger girl who is ridiculed by her peers, as well as in her willingness to stand up to the store clerk who tries to intimidate her and her friends.

In conclusion, Sylvia is a complex and multifaceted character who is defined by her intelligence, independence, determination, and compassion. Through her thoughts and actions, we see a young woman who is deeply aware of the injustices and inequalities in the world around her and is willing to stand up for what she believes in.

The Lesson Character Analysis: Sylvia

character analysis of sylvia in the lesson

She now blows off Sugar, whom she was once attached to at the hip, and rather than use the leftover money to buy junk food, Sylvia decides to go off alone to think about what she has learned. She tells Miss Moore that she would rather go Sunset Park to harass the West Indian kids and take their money than listen to this lecture. She and her husband moved to a small town and their marriage began going worse. Then we check out that we on Fifth Avenue and everybody dressed up in stockings. Want to read the rest of this paper? Sylvia, Sugar, Junebug, and Flyboy joke around in the car during the ride. Sylvia associates this frivolousness and open display of wealth with whiteness, drawing a connection between the racial and economic differences she notices. Sylvia thinks about all the things that much money could pay for in her family: new beds, a trip to the country to visit Granddaddy Nelson, rent, and more.

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Sylvia’s Realization in Short Story the Lesson Character Analysis Essay Example

character analysis of sylvia in the lesson

Yet Sylvia maintains her rebelliousness, as she tries to convince the other kids to escape and then pockets the money herself rather than figuring out the tip. Flyboy interrupts the conversation to show everyone a sailboat, which he stares at as if it belongs to him. Got as much right to go in as anybody. This essay will focus on the traits of Sylvia and the rationales for each of them. Additionally, she often uses profanity to express her distaste towards her teacher.


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Character analysis of sylvia in the lesson Free Essays

character analysis of sylvia in the lesson

On page 380 Sylvia is angry at Miss Moore, "If you gonna mess up a perfectly good swim day least you could do is have some answers. Sylvia's ignorance directs her to accept as factual that she is in command of her own life and that she desires assist from no one. Send this poor kid to camp posters, is his specialty. While Sylvia had previously demonstrated brash confidence of her surroundings and a general feeling of mastery, she now has changed in that she has begun to doubt the surrounding area and become self-conscious about her actions. The same thing happens to Sylvia which leads towards the self discovering process of the character. There is also a subtle culture shock exhibited as the girls question what some of the items function; for example there is a conversation about a paper weight that occurs, with the supervisor having to inform them its function, and the girls joking about how since they have no paper they have no real use for the object.

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Sylvia Character Analysis in The Lesson

character analysis of sylvia in the lesson

. One day, in a lesson by her teacher, Mrs. Her realization about the inequality she has witnessed explains her previous frustration, as she begins to truly grasp the stark differences between her family and community and the people who shop at the toy store. For example, when Miss Moore first moves into town Sylvia is put out by it. Sugar nudges me in my pocket and winks.

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The Lesson By Toni Cade Bambara: Sylvia’s Character Analysis: [Essay Example], 821 words GradesFixer

character analysis of sylvia in the lesson

She says that she would rather wreak havoc on the West Indian kids, and suggests that they go to the subway where it is cooler. Sugar tells Miss Moore that she thinks the sailboat costs more than all of the kids in their group spend on food in a year, which excites Miss Moore. Sugar mocked her for her hesitation afterward. Miss Moore is constantly planning activities for the kids on the block. My godmother bought the stationery and the desk. .

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An Analysis of Sylvia, a Character in The Lesson, a Short Story by Toni Cade Bambara

character analysis of sylvia in the lesson

Because of these qualities, Sylvia views Miss Moore as fundamentally different from the other Black people in the neighborhood including Sylvia herself. For example, when she asks another student if she has any school supplies at home, Sylvia gets angry. Grant is also haunted by his past having grown up in a very racist small town which he could never find a way to deal with. She is sure Miss Moore will bring that comment up in a future lesson on brotherhood. In the same token, she is also an intellectual natural born leader. Sometimes, a certain incident changes or transforms a person's live unexpectedly or abruptly.


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The Evolution Of Sylvia In The Lesson By Toni Cade Bambara: Free Essay Example, 1219 words

character analysis of sylvia in the lesson

Sugar clearly identifies the lesson Miss Moore has been trying to teach the kids about economic inequality in the U. Thirty-five dollars would pay for the rent and the piano bill too. Sylvia tries hard to resist that lesson, which is why the changes that. She asks Miss Moore why she brought them there, and Miss Moore asks if Sylvia is upset about something. This could mean that she feels threatened by Miss Moore because she might skew the path she wants to take. Upon arriving the destination, Sylvia sees that the items in the windows they are looking at exceed much more than she can comprehend. For some reason this pisses me off.

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THE LESSON CHARACTER SYLVIA webapi.bu.edu

character analysis of sylvia in the lesson

I read it again for myself just in case the group recitation put me in a trance. Individualism is the moral , political philoso. Miss Moore tells her to research it and tell the group later, which upsets Sylvia, who just wanted an answer to her question. Then, Sylvia suggests that they go down to the subway to cool off she and Sugar are also hoping to meet boys there. .

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The Lesson Summary & Analysis

character analysis of sylvia in the lesson

She expresses how belittled and out of control she was in Premium Family Marriage Mother Daddy Sylvia Plath Analysis Sylvia Plath was known for not having a good relationship with her father Otto Plath. Miss Moore tells the kids about all the tiny things one can see through a microscope that are invisible to the naked eye. Overall, Syliva is strong willed, surly, and judgmental and she behaves this way because she is determined to create the life she wants, even if she is not making the right choices. Sylvia asks Miss Moore how much a real boat costs in comparison, even though she usually never speaks to Miss Moore because she dislikes her so much. But although a few dollars seems like a lot of money to Sylvia, this sum is miniscule compared to what the wealthy customers at the toy store must have, which makes it clear that Sylvia is poor by comparison. Discovery empowers people to explore their world and. This passage introduces a contrast between the children who come from a poor, predominately Black neighborhood and the toy store which serves wealthy customers in a predominately white area.

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