Sylvia’s Success There is risk taken when introducing a deprived child to a world of lavishly expensive items and unattainable attractions. Some may accept what they have seen, and accept their situation. Others may grow stronger, rise above their circumstances, and flourish. Fortunatley for Sylvia, she has the ability to grow. In the short story “The Lesson,” by Toni Cade Bambara, Sylvia has the strength to succeed through her leadership, her curiosity, and her …showed first 75 words of 920 total…

…showed last 75 words of 920 total…they never will. Children that are shown a world other than their own may not accept that anything other than where they are is real. Others, like Sylvia, may understand that “Where we are is who we are”(222). Courage, leadership, and curiosity are three essential tools to carry in order to advance in a social system where poor people, for the most part, remain poor. Sylvia has got all the tools she needs to succeed.