"The Lesson"

So for once since the year started, I’ve decided to write about something we actually referenced in class. Out of every short story we’ve read, “The Lesson” was by far the most uneventful. It was nothing I thought it would be. With the rest of the stories we’ve read, the element of suspense was at least somewhat eminent. “The Lesson” started off slow, I assumed that the plot would grow increasingly complex and something incredible would happen…no. As a reader, one basically follows a group of poverty stricken children that attend a trip to the toy store with their teacher. I know literary fiction isn’t supposed to be entertaining, but this story was tedious. There was nothing that mentally stimulated me. However, I must admit that the theme featured in the story was a good one. Even though it was a bit solemn it’s the truth. I feel like throughout the piece there was a hidden reoccurring idea that those who live in poverty must unfortunately work a lot harder to get the simplest of things. I feel like the teacher was trying to explain to the children that even though their life might be more difficult, the personal satisfaction that they’d reap in the end would be far greater than that of a person who gets everything handed to them on a silver spoon.