Teenagers Usually Exhibit a Mixture of Childishness

Teenagers usually exhibit a mixture of childishness and maturity as they evolve into adults. Often a striking event or experience will catalyze an adolescent's intellectual growth. Toni Cade Bambara's short story "The Lesson" fuses the dual themes of economic disparity with coming of age. A group of inner city minorities observe the exuberance of Fifth Avenue, triggering feelings of anger in the narrator. Sylvia, however, retains her self-centered childishness while she witnesses her best friends' maturation. Sugar is the character that truly comes of age in Bambara's "The Lesson."

The story opens with insight into the narrator's peer group dynamic. Here are teenagers who still cling to their mischievousness and childishness. Sylvia, the narrator, is especially put off by Miss Moore's attempt to instill in the teens morality and life lessons. Because Miss Moore is an educated woman, the community bestows respect on her, and she serves as a surrogate teacher. But Sylvia, Sugar, and the other kids who embark on the field trip to F.A.O. Schwartz do not yet appreciate Miss Moore's intentions. Instead, they giggle and belittle the woman.

When the teens ogle the store windows and take note of the extravagant price tags on mere toys, the first sign of transformation takes place. At first, the children only register shock, envy, and disbelief. They also feel an acute sense of shame when they enter F.A.O. Schwartz. These feelings catalyze their coming of age, especially Sugar. Sylvia, although she feels angry, does not fully comprehend the bigger picture like Sugar does. But the narrator does notice that when she and Sugar bump into each other accidentally, they "don't laugh and go into (their) fat-lady bump-stomach routine." Sylvia is aware of their dawning maturation.