Toni Cade BamberaÆs The Lesson demonstrates the impact of socioeconomic class distinctions on childhood perception and development. More significantly, it demonstrates a bicultural structure in U.S. society that equates to color vs. white and to a rich vs. poor dichotomy. Sylvia is a poor, African American girl who goes with her classmates to the fine shops of Fifth Avenue. Sylvia is brought into contact with the world of privilege but also a world that seems reserved for white, wealthy individuals. This lesson is painfully brought home to Sylvia when she sees the prices of even toys, like a sailboat that is ninety-five dollars. Sylvia is disillusioned with the apparent distinctions in society based on wealth and color, but she also becomes stronger in the recognition. ôAinÆt nobody gonna beat me at nuthin,ö she says, as she runs off for cake and ice cream with her friend (Bambera, p. 113).
In Amy TanÆs Two Kinds, once again we see that there are distinctions made from a cultural basis when being from a minority group in mainstream society. The narrator informs us that her mother ôbelieved you could be anything you wanted to be in Americaö (Tan, p. 1278). We see that the narrator, an adult looking back on her childhood values and experiences, did not have the knowledge to know such statements are often more myth than reality when referring to the proverbial ôAmerican Dream.ö This seems to be especially true if one is not from mainstream, white society. As a Chinese American, Tan often witnessed the ostracism or exclusion that stem from not being a member of the dominant class in society, a typically wealthy and white group of individuals who tend to prohibit entry by those who do not conform to their sense of values or look the same.
Katherine MansfieldÆs The Garden-Party is a story that illustrates another young girlÆs broadening awareness. LauraÆs awareness stems from her values coming into conflict wi...