Overcoming Adversity
Struggles, unfortunately, are a part of life everyone must face. These struggles can make you or break you, can push you to succeed or cause you to fail. The way these hardships are viewed will determine the outcome. In order to overcome any situation you are faced with, you must view it with an open mind, be sure to see the whole picture, and know with hard work anything is possible. In “The Lesson” we see just how easy it can be for underprivileged inner city youth to fall victim to circumstance and the many important lessons they learn to overcome their environment. The lessons they learn are learned on the street, education comes in many different forms and we see how Miss. Moore must reach these children in an unconventional way by taking them out of their element.
Many of the most important lessons learned in life do not always take place within the classroom. Miss. Moore is trying to open the minds of the children and show them that there is more to life other then only what they see and know. She only begins to make an impact with them when she removes them from their comfort zone, after all you don't know anything other than what you have been exposed to. Sylvia only begins to realize the extent of poverty she is living when she sees how frivolous others are with their money, when she sees how others dress and behave. 5th Avenue is a very different environment then the children are used to, “one lady in a fur coat, white folks crazy”. Sylvia beings to feel embarrassed and inadequate in this new environment. Sometimes it is necessary to feel uneasy and uncomfortable in order to see things in a different light. Once you know the extent of your situation you can decide for yourself if you want to succumb to your own economic difficulties or rise above them. These poverty stricken children are beginning to see there is more to life then only what they know and they want a piece of that pie.
Another lesson we learn from this...