The Lesson By Jessamyn West & Toni Cade Bambara

The Lesson by Jessamyn West & The Lesson by Toni Cade Bambara

The perception of social class in society has grown by dividing people into different groups based on their economic status and socioeconomic class. These divisions reveal the unfairness and inequalities present in societal structures, affecting individual lives and societal interactions. In the stories “The Lesson” by Jessamyn West and “The Lesson” by Toni Cade Bambara, the main characters learn significant lessons related to acceptance, social class, and moving forward in life. Johnny learns how to say goodbye at an appropriate time, symbolizing the acceptance of inevitable life changes, while Sylvia realizes that white people and those from higher social classes wield more power and resources due to their socioeconomic status.

Analysis of Jessamyn West's "The Lesson"

In Jessamyn West's "The Lesson," the narrative centers around Johnny, the youngest child in his family, who raises a steer named Curly. After Johnny successfully wins a competition with Curly, the family faces the painful task of auctioning off the steer, emphasizing the theme of loss and the need to accept change. The auction scene exposes a stark reality where animals are valued primarily for their monetary worth, discounting their emotional significance. The auctioneer's remark, “Only one thing left—the auctioning of these animals—and, believe you me, the enjoyment you’ve had here is nothing to the enjoyment you’ve going to have when you bite into one of these big, juicy baby-beef steaks,” illustrates society’s focus on profit over compassion (West, 1092). This underscores the devaluation of life when it is reduced to a commodity.

Johnny's loss of Curly teaches him an essential life lesson about the impermanence of attachments and the importance of knowing when to say goodbye. His family's experience of losing their mother and now their pet highlights the process of accepting loss and understanding that life involves continual change. The father explicitly states, “it’s better to learn to say good bye early than late,” emphasizing that acceptance and timely closure are vital for emotional resilience (West, 1093). The story advocates for emotional maturity and the importance of understanding that letting go is a necessary part of life, despite its inherent pain.

Analysis of Toni Cade Bambara's "The Lesson"

In Toni Cade Bambara's "The Lesson," Sylvia, a young girl from a lower socioeconomic background, learns about the glaring disparities between her community and more affluent segments of society. Miss Moore, an educated woman, seeks to educate Sylvia and her peers about social and economic inequality, attempting to broaden their understanding of societal structure. However, Sylvia initially resists, annoyed by Miss Moore's discussions about the cost of living, wealth disparities, and social injustice. She states, “boring us silly about what things cost and what our parents make and how much goes to rent and how money ain’t divided up right in the country…we all poor and live in the slums,” reflecting her frustration and lack of awareness about the broader socioeconomic context (Bambara, 1095).

Throughout the story, Sylvia comes to see that wealth is concentrated among white people and the upper class, who spend money on unnecessary luxuries such as expensive toys. Miss Moore points out that a clown toy could cost as much as $35, money that might otherwise be used for essential needs like rent or education. Sylvia’s initial anger about the wastefulness of wealth reveals her awareness of economic inequalities, which deepens her understanding of social disparities. The story demonstrates how Sylvia begins to grasp the importance of economic awareness and recognizes her place within this social hierarchy. Her experience signifies a step toward accepting the societal realities she faces and understanding the importance of financial literacy and social justice.

Comparison and Connecting Themes

Both stories revolve around the theme of acceptance and understanding societal realities. Jessamyn West’s Johnny learns that life involves inevitable losses and that it’s necessary to accept these changes to grow emotionally. Similarly, Bambara's Sylvia begins to comprehend the extent of economic disparities and recognizes her own potential to rise above or challenge these inequalities. The lessons emphasize that recognizing and accepting circumstances, although sometimes painful, are crucial steps toward personal growth and societal awareness.

In West’s narrative, the lesson is more about emotional acceptance—accepting mortality and change, which prepares one to handle life's inevitable hardships. Conversely, Bambara’s story underscores social awareness—acknowledging economic disparity and understanding the role of social justice. Both characters learn that acceptance is vital for moving forward and that understanding societal structures can empower individuals to effect change.

Moreover, the stories highlight that the lessons of acceptance—be it of loss or of social inequality—are universal. They teach the importance of resilience, perspective, and the willingness to confront uncomfortable truths for personal development and societal progress. Johnny’s farewell to Curly symbolizes a readiness to face future losses, while Sylvia’s awareness of economic disparities symbolizes a readiness to challenge and redefine her social reality.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Jessamyn West's "The Lesson" and Toni Cade Bambara’s "The Lesson" both convey powerful messages about acceptance and adaptation to life’s challenges. West's story emphasizes emotional maturity and the importance of saying goodbye at the right time, illustrating that acceptance of loss leads to growth. Bambara’s narrative fosters awareness of social and economic disparities, highlighting that understanding societal inequalities is key to empowerment. Both stories underscore that acceptance—whether of life's inevitable changes or of societal realities—is essential for personal resilience and societal progress. Through these lessons, the characters become better equipped to navigate their respective worlds, demonstrating the profound importance of understanding, acceptance, and moving forward.

References

• Bambara, Toni Cade. "The Lesson." Gorilla, My Love, 1972, pp. 85-96.
• West, Jessamyn. Collected Stories of Jessamyn West. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1987.
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