Rags and Riches "The Lesson," by Bambara

"The Lesson" by Toni Cade Bambara is a lesson on social class and presents the choice of which society we choose to live in. It examines the realization of economic inequity within America. Bambara creates Ms. Moore, the antagonist, who strives to teach the children what their life could be like. With their consent and desire to achieve, their eyes could be opened to the oppression of the world. Bambara creates a host of characters. These characters help explore and demonstrate the issues that face the poor and the minorities in the United States. Ms. Moore feels that it is, "her respo…