Failure of human beings to accept the realities of life so that apathy and lethargy sets in, has proved to be very destructive in the social setting of most people's communities. However, there are individuals who stand out in the crowd despite various community challenges and fight so hard to save the situation. Such people strive to open people's eyes to understand the true nature of life and not by offering material assistance. In the short story "The Lesson", such is the case with Mrs. Moore. She struggles to give the impetus required for people to see their God-given rights to better things in life. Other than her college degree, she is portrayed as a kind person who has experienced life, been around the world, and wants to use her experience to brighten the lives of children so that they could have a better future. "She had been to college and said it was the only right that she should take responsibility for the young one's education, and she was not even related to them by blood" (Bambara 22).
The use of symbolism is very profound in this story. The writer uses a lot of symbols to depict the social differences among various characters just by examining how they live.
As illustrated, the children can be understood to have landed the bad hand of fate. Their lives seem miserable and have no real hope for the future. Mrs. Moore, on the other hand, is a well-educated lady; she represents the kind of class very different from what the community expects to see. She has the choice to sit back and watch the community anguish in poverty or step in and assist the situation in every way she can. By simple examining the name Moore, a great deal of symbolism can be found. A lot of things does not define her, we are not told whether she is married or not, and if she even have children of her own. Her name could be taken to mean that she wanted more for the children in this community.
[...] All children are happy with the kind of teaching they receive from Mrs. Moore and are looking forward to a brighter future. On the other hand is Sylvia, very withdrawn and worried about Mrs. Moore's intention to show children the right way. She is very sarcastic and outspoken, together with her cousin Sugar; they have understood the level of inequality in wealth distribution that underlies American society. In another aspect of symbolism, there is a comparison between F.A.O. Schwartz and the Catholic Church. [...]
[...] She does not use the direct approach, rather, she exposes children to a lot of avenues which could just make them understand the need of what she wished for them most; education. In the end, even Sylvia's cousin appreciates the little things they have. She understands that even though they were not among the wealthiest people in the world, they four dollars anyway” (Bambara 47). Works cited Bambara, Toni C. Gorilla, My Love. New York: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 1972. [...]
[...] This knowledge is supposed to help the children henceforth in their daily lives as they apply it to better their survival. Mrs. Moore has educated the children by example, and making them understands that they really had no business in their ‘comfort zones'. Though upset by what they have learnt, it was just very necessary that Mrs. Moore expose the children to what they could have. Conclusion The use of symbolism in the story has contributed to plot development and made clear the various themes. [...]
[...] this is just the same thing they did when in church. However, once they decide to walk in, they tip-toe, not wanting to handle anything due to fear that they may damage them. In this regard, aspects of symbolism are in line with the children's behavior in the church and at the store. A comparison is made between their lifestyle and what they are experiencing at the moment. This is the kind of life they have never imagined before and once in the store, they are careful not to touch any toy.In this store, the children see a “handcrafted sailboat of fiber glass at one thousand one hundred ninety five dollars” (Bambara 44). [...]
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