What is the author's style in The Lesson by Toni Cade Bambara?

"The Lesson" is told from Sylvia's first-person point of view. This means that all the events are perceived through Sylvia. Despite this potentially restrictive viewpoint, Sylvia is able to present an expansive view of her community.

The Black Aesthetic Movement, which is also known as the Black Arts Movement, was a period of artistic and literary development among African Americans in the 1960s and early 1970s. "The Lesson" demonstrates many attributes of this movement. Bambara draws on typical African- American urban culture in creating her characters and dialogue, and in focusing attention on issues of real concern. Miss Moore clearly advocates taking a strong position to achieve equality; she wants the poor African Americans to "demand" their fair share of American prosperity. The children demonstrate the racial tension they feel daily; they openly speak of how "crazy" white folks are. By the end of the story, Sylvia and Sugar have clearly internalized Miss Moore's lesson.