The Power of Personality in The Lesson by Toni Cade Bambara Character development is something that comes with time. I believe there are three major elements that affect how people develop their character: where they come from, which includes their financial situation; how they are raised; and the character of the people who had the most influence on their lives. Sylvia, in “The Lesson” by Toni Cade Bambara, is very influenced by all these factors. The fact that Sylvia lives in the slums and is poor makes her defensive and judgmental. Her parents, who were not very present, left her without the attention and discipline that children need to develop fully. Finally, her friends and Miss Moore also have a great influence on the way Sylvia thinks and acts, and cause Sylvia to be observant but also angry and stubborn. All these characteristics not only determine Sylvia's personality, but also explain why I think Sylvia will not apply Miss Moore's lesson. Sylvia's being poor influences how she sees others and how she feels toward them. Sylvia lives in the slums of New York; it's the only life she knows and can realistically relate to. She does not consider herself poor or disadvantaged. On the contrary, she is satisfied with her life and therefore resistant to change. Sylvia has always considered herself and her cousin "the only good ones" in the neighborhood, and when an educated woman, Miss Moore, moves into the neighborhood, Sylvia feels threatened. Mrs. Moore threatens her because she wants Sylvia to view her low social status as a bad thing, and Sylvia "doesn't present it." This resistance to change leads Sylvia to be very defensive and in turn judgmental. Sylvia quickly finds middle of paper......through." Sylvia is very used to being the leader of the group, the toughest girl, and being able to constantly defend herself, compared to inferior, embarrassed and unprotected by her often strong words Although Sylvia realizes Miss Moore's lesson, I believe that her quick judgment, stubbornness, and anger shown throughout the story will prevent her from using Miss Moore's lesson to her advantage. her anger in particular, may drive her to want to overcome her failures I think the ending is vague and leaves it wide open for one to speculate on exactly what choice Sylvia will make From my observations, the negative attitude. by Sylvia outweighs her chances of success Cited: Bambara, “The Lesson”, Eds. Hans P. Guth and Gabriele L. Rico Discovering Literature: Fiction, Poetry and Theater, Upper Saddle River. , NJ: Prentice Hall., 1997.