ᴛᴏɴɪ ᴄᴀᴅᴇ ʙᴀᴍʙᴀʀᴀ's "ᴛʜᴇ ʟᴇssᴏɴ"

                65 - 71

╓═══════☆═══════╖

           Life and Work

╙═══════☆═══════╜

1939-95, active in Black Arts Movement in 60-70s

leading voice in Black Feminism

author of 2 collections of short stories, 2 novels, essays
including preface to feminist anthology This Bridge 
Called My Back: Writings by Radical Women of Color

native of Harlem, NYC

work with art organizations, recreation director in the 
psychiatric ward of Metropolitan Hospital

writer in residence, teacher of screenwriting in colleges 
in NJ, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Missouri

first collection where "The Lesson" appear - Gorilla, My
Love, published in 1972, 15 stories written between 
1960 - 1970

featured narrators similar to Sylvia

╓═══════☆═══════╖

               Analysis

╙═══════☆═══════╜

Sylvia - sassy, quick witted, exuberant, intelligent

streetwise, keen observer of her world

expanded awareness of poverty in black urban environment

colourful observations create vivid picture of neighborhood

reader knows her name when Miss Moore address her

Miss Moore use Standard American English

story written in Black American English/Ebonics

speak of economics in US, haves and have nots

juxtaposition of streetwise, unruly kids and Manhattan
landmark of high price toys 

microscope - $300 ($300 in 1969 ~ $2000 in 2017)

paperweight with semi precious stones - $480

handcrafted sailboat - $1200

all have experiences of sailing boats in local waterways of
Alley Pond or Central Park

$35 mechanical clown = new bunk beds, visit to grand daddy,
rent and piano bill

Sugar ask what kind of democracy fails to give all citizens
"equal crack at the dough"