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Experience is the Key to Knowledge Children tend not to be naturally aware of inequality; they must come to this knowledge through experiences. The Lesson, by Toni Cade Bambara, relates one such coming of age in the experiences of a group of New York City children who pay a visit to F.A.O. Schwartz, a famous, upscale toy store. The character Miss Moore introduces the facts of social inequality to the distracted group of …

…are dabbling with the “new world”, as she tries to resist it. She feels threatened by anything that elevates her awareness of her poverty. Sylvia even states, “I’m mad, but I won’t give her that satisfaction” (929). Even though Sylvia does not want to give Miss Moore the satisfaction, she begins to think what her future holds for her, and she learned very well “the Lesson” Miss Moore is trying to teach them all.