DAMIETTA FACULTY OF ARTS THIRD YEAR DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH Dr. Engy Salah TEXT ANALYSIS 1ST LECTURE- MARCH 2020 CONTENTS: Part I- “The lesson” oThe writer oHints oSummary oTitle oThemes oSymbols oTopics for discussion Part II-Literary terms “THE LESSON” BY: TONI CADE BAMBARA “The Lesson” is a short story by Toni Cade Bambara (1939-1995), an African American writer, teacher and civil-rights activist. In 1959, Cade received her B.A. in theater arts/English from Queens College and published her first short story, “Sweet Town.” After a year in Milan, Italy, Cade returned to New York in 1962 to finish a Master's degree in modern American fiction at New York City College, while working as a social worker, occupational therapist and director of various neighborhood projects. “The Lesson” appeared in Bambara’s story collection Gorilla, My Love, which was first published in 1960. It was also anthologized in an edition of Best American Short Stories (1972). “THE LESSON”: HINTS Junkman: a person who takes others’ unwanted things to resell them in other places Pinafore: a girl’s dress usually processed with starch to keep the skirt stand out and the collar crisp Jumper: a girl’s dress but was made differently Napping hair: a term used for natural African-American hair style at the 1960’s FAO Schwarz: is the oldest toy store in the United States, first opening its doors in 1862 in Baltimore before moving to New York City, where it has moved between several locations since 1870. The dance-on piano, made famous by the 1988 Tom Hanks’ film Big, brought national attention to the brand. “THE LESSON”: SUMMARY Narrated in the voice of Sylvia, an African-American girl, "The Lesson" is the story of a summer day trip organized by Miss Moore, a socially conscious spinster who is determined to teach eight children a lesson about the nature of money and how it is distributed in American society. In order to expose the children to the notion of class differences, Miss Moore, the self-appointed teacher, takes them from the "slums" in New York City to the upscale retail area on Fifth Avenue where they visit F.A.O. Schwarz, a world-famous toy store. Although the lesson Miss Moore attempts to teach is quite serious, the story is infused with humorous hints provided by the various children's honest and irreverent voices. “THE LESSON”: THE TITLE What are the connotations that you could derive for the word ‘lesson’? Do you agree that the title of the short story is ironic in one way or another? Explain. Does the lesson change IS THE along the LESSON story, or does NEGATIVE it remain clear OR and constant? POSITIVE? WHOM IS WHAT IS SUPPOSED ACCURATELY THE TO TAKE LESSON? THE LESSON? WHERE WHO IS INTENDED DOES IT TO GIVE THE BEGIN? LESSON? “THE LESSON”: THEMES Education; growing up Class Poverty; ambitions; differences social consumerism intelligence injustice vs education Being an other In one of its interpretation, the lesson in “The Lesson” is about the significance of Race/ oppression money, the reality of the children in this story’s world, and the desire to create a better chance for them. “THE LESSON”: SYMBOLS What are the most prominent symbols that you find most related to your proposed themes? Examples are: The clown The toy toy; The Summer shop sailboat classes THE LESSON”: TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION ‘If you want it, go work for it’. Do you think this may be the real lesson? Explain. Do you like miss Moore? Why? Do you find her really a dignity keeper? What do you think of the opening sentence? How could you link it to the story in general? Is “The Lesson” a living piece/ a living story? Can you find yourself back there with Miss Moore and the children? Does this story ring a bell? PART II: LITERARY TERMS Belles-lettres: Bildungsroman: Black Aesthetic Movement: Black Humor: Comic Relief: Detective Story: Deconstruction: Didactic: Dramatic Irony: Dystopia: THANK YOU… MISS YOUR FRUITFUL DISCUSSIONS If you have any questions, just let me know; Dr. Engy Salah.