Free writing journal - Essay Example

The Lesson by Toni Cade Bambaba is actually a real lesson, not just for the kids in the story but for everyone, as well. Ms. Moore used the toy shop as a venue for explaining the glaring differences between the upper class and the lower class of the society. The Lesson reaches out not only to the young, lower class kids, but also to those in the upper class. We are all members of the society. We have different roles and responsibilities that we need to undertake. It cannot be helped that we are grouped in different classes in different levels or spheres within the society.

It is a normal thing as we are similar or different from each other. But it is not easy to understand and accept that the large gap between the upper class and the lower class has negative results. It increases discrimination. It increases a negative acceptance of things, which would limit the skills and capabilities of individuals. Who would want to work hard when you know that no matter how much you work, you will always be at the bottom end of the scale? Sylvia may symbolize the social resistance existing within the society.

But a single person or group’s effort is not enough. There should be a large social movement to create changes in the society. Isn’t it sad to see that the upper class has access to things that lower class do not have? Education, medicine, leisure. These are things that the upper class have more access to than lower class. Since they have the money, they can go to school without needing to skip classes almost everyday, or having to stop schooling for a year or two to save up for your education.

Because they have the money, they can seek medical help whenever they’re not feeling well, even if it is just a simple headache. They also have more time to relax, and they can even go places, because they have the means. Those in the lower class have less means to have an education, less access to medical help and very little time for leisure. Why? Because they don’t have the money, and they have to keep on working just to sustain their daily lives.