Education Universe Drama, Literature

The American Dream and Social Barriers in Literature

The idea of the American Dream has been around for centuries. It’s the belief that with hard work, determination, and a little bit of luck, anyone can achieve success and prosperity. But is that dream really available to everyone? Literature has long explored this question, often revealing the social and economic barriers that make it difficult—if not impossible—for some people to attain the opportunities they seek.

Through powerful stories and plays like A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry and The Lesson by Toni Cade Bambara, we see how race, class, and economic struggles shape people’s realities. These works challenge the idealistic notion of the American Dream and force us to consider how systemic inequalities limit access to success.

The American Dream: A Promise or a Myth?

The American Dream is often tied to the idea that anyone—regardless of background—can succeed if they just work hard enough. But in literature, we frequently see characters who do everything right and still find themselves blocked by forces outside their control. Whether it’s racial discrimination, gender inequality, or economic hardship, these barriers prove that success isn’t just about effort—it’s also about the circumstances people are born into.

In A Raisin in the Sun, Hansberry explores this through the struggles of the Younger family, a Black family living on the South Side of Chicago in the 1950s. Mama, Walter, and Beneatha all have different views on what success means, but each of them faces roadblocks that make achieving their dreams difficult. Walter wants to be a successful businessman, but because of his race and economic status, he’s denied the same opportunities as white men. Beneatha dreams of becoming a doctor, but financial struggles and gender expectations make it a challenge. Even Mama, who just wants a house for her family, faces racism when trying to move into a better neighborhood.

Their experiences reveal that hard work alone isn’t enough—larger social structures play a huge role in determining who gets access to wealth and stability.

Education as the Great Equalizer—Or Is It?

Another key theme in literature is education as a path to success. Many people believe that getting an education is the best way to overcome economic and social barriers. But even that opportunity isn’t distributed equally.

Toni Cade Bambara’s The Lesson highlights this issue through the character of Miss Moore, a woman determined to teach the neighborhood children about the realities of economic inequality. She takes them on a trip to an expensive toy store in Manhattan, where they see outrageous prices—$1,000 for a toy sailboat—things their families could never afford. For the first time, the children realize just how unfair wealth distribution is in America.

Sylvia, the sharp and observant protagonist, is particularly affected by this experience. She begins to see that society is designed to keep people in their place. Even though she is intelligent and capable, she understands that just knowing about inequality doesn’t automatically change her situation. This realization echoes what many real people experience: education alone doesn’t guarantee upward mobility when the system is rigged against them.

The Role of Race and Class in Opportunity

Both A Raisin in the Sun and The Lesson show that race and class have a major impact on who gets access to the American Dream. Even when characters aspire for something better, they are often met with resistance from society.

In A Raisin in the Sun, when Mama finally puts a down payment on a house in a white neighborhood, the family is immediately met with hostility. A representative from the neighborhood association offers to buy back the house to keep the area segregated, showing how deeply racism is embedded in the housing market.

Similarly, in The Lesson, Miss Moore’s lesson isn’t just about money—it’s about how certain people are intentionally kept from opportunities. The expensive toy store represents a world that is off-limits to children like Sylvia and her friends, not just financially, but socially as well.

These stories reflect real-world struggles where access to jobs, housing, and education is often determined by race and class rather than personal effort. They challenge the audience to think critically about the fairness of the American Dream and whether it is truly attainable for all.

So, Can Everyone Achieve the American Dream?

After looking at these stories, it’s hard to say that the American Dream is universally accessible. Yes, some people do break through barriers and achieve success. But literature repeatedly shows us that many are left behind due to circumstances beyond their control.

So what’s the takeaway?

  • The American Dream is not equally available to everyone. Some people face racial, economic, and social barriers that make it far harder to succeed.
  • Education helps, but it isn’t always enough. Knowledge can open doors, but systemic issues still prevent equal access to opportunity.
  • We must recognize and challenge these inequalities. Just as Miss Moore encourages her students to think critically, literature encourages us to question the system and consider how we can work toward a more just society.

As readers, we should not only appreciate these works as stories but also as windows into real struggles. They push us to think about what can be done to close the gap between the ideal and reality of the American Dream. Because in the end, literature is not just about reading—it’s about understanding the world and questioning how it can be better.

Works Cited

  • Bambara, Toni Cade. The Lesson. 1972.
  • Bell, Bernard W. The Contemporary African American Novel: Its Folk Roots and Modern Literary Branches. University of Massachusetts Press, 2004.
  • Bloom, Harold, editor. Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun. Chelsea House, 2009.
  • Gates, Henry Louis, Jr., and Nellie Y. McKay, editors. The Norton Anthology of African American Literature. W.W. Norton & Company, 1997.
  • Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. Random House, 1959.
  • Jones, Gavin. American Hungers: The Problem of Poverty in U.S. Literature, 1840-1945. Princeton University Press, 2008.
  • Kamp, David. “Rethinking the American Dream.” Vanity Fair, Apr. 2009, http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2009/04/american-dream200904.
  • Wright, Richard. Black Boy. Harper & Brothers, 1945.
Education Universe Literature

Understanding the Historical and Social Context of Toni Cade Bambara’s “The Lesson”

Toni Cade Bambara’s short story The Lesson is more than just a simple tale about a group of kids visiting an expensive toy store. It’s a sharp, thought-provoking story that dives deep into economic inequality, race, and education in America. Written in the 1970s, The Lesson is set in Harlem and follows a group of African American children who, under the guidance of Miss Moore, are exposed to the harsh realities of wealth disparity. But to fully appreciate this story, it’s essential to look at the historical and social backdrop that shaped it.

Civil Rights Movement and Economic Disparities

By the time The Lesson was published in 1972, America had undergone significant social changes, largely due to the Civil Rights Movement (1950s-1960s). Laws had been passed to dismantle segregation, but racial and economic inequalities were still deeply embedded in society. Many Black families, especially those in urban centers like Harlem, continued to face poverty, limited job opportunities, and underfunded schools.

Harlem in the 1960s and 1970s was a neighborhood shaped by both vibrant Black culture and economic struggle. It was a hub for the arts, music, and activism, yet at the same time, it suffered from systemic neglect. Jobs were scarce, housing conditions were poor, and schools were often under-resourced. Bambara, who was deeply invested in activism and education, used The Lesson to highlight the economic divide between Black and white communities.

In the story, Miss Moore—a college-educated woman—takes the children from their working-class neighborhood to F.A.O. Schwarz, an upscale toy store in Manhattan. There, the kids are shocked to see toys that cost as much as $1,000—more than their parents make in a month. Through this experience, Bambara exposes how wealth and opportunity are distributed unevenly in America.

Education as a Tool for Change

One of the key messages in The Lesson is that education can open people’s eyes to injustice. Miss Moore’s role in the story is significant—she isn’t just a babysitter or a teacher; she is a mentor who challenges the children to think critically about their place in society.

During the 1970s, Black communities were actively pushing for better education. The Civil Rights Movement had led to school desegregation, but in reality, many Black children were still attending poorly funded schools. There was also a growing awareness that education was not just about learning facts but about understanding the social and economic structures that shaped their lives.

In The Lesson, Sylvia—the main character—starts the story as a tough, street-smart girl who doesn’t like being told what to do. But by the end of the story, she is quietly reflecting on what she has learned. She doesn’t say much, but her final thoughts suggest that she is beginning to understand that something is deeply unfair about the world she lives in. This realization is Miss Moore’s goal—she doesn’t give the kids answers but instead pushes them to question the system for themselves.

Wealth Disparity in America

Bambara doesn’t just critique racism in The Lesson—she also calls out classism and the economic divide. The toy store visit isn’t just about race; it’s about who gets access to wealth and opportunity. The children, coming from working-class families, realize that there are people who can casually spend a small fortune on a toy, while their families struggle to pay rent.

This was a real issue in 1970s America. The wealth gap between the rich and poor was growing, and Black families were disproportionately affected. Even today, the economic disparities that Bambara highlighted still exist. Studies show that the racial wealth gap in America remains significant, with Black families holding a fraction of the wealth that white families do.

The Lesson is still incredibly relevant because it forces us to ask uncomfortable questions:

  • Why do some children grow up with every opportunity, while others have to fight for basic necessities?
  • How does wealth impact education and future success?
  • What responsibility does society have to address economic injustice?

The Lasting Impact of “The Lesson”

Even though The Lesson was written over 50 years ago, its themes remain powerful and timely. Economic inequality, systemic racism, and the importance of education are still major social issues.

Sylvia’s journey is one that many people experience—growing up unaware of just how unequal the world is, then slowly realizing the deep-rooted systems that shape society. At the end of the story, Sylvia is thinking, “But ain’t nobody gonna beat me at nuthin.” This line is important because it suggests that she isn’t just going to accept the unfairness of the world. Instead, she’s determined to fight back.

Bambara doesn’t give us easy answers, and that’s what makes The Lesson so powerful. She presents a world that is both unfair and full of potential, challenging readers—just as Miss Moore challenges her students—to think about what we can do to change it.

Conclusion

Toni Cade Bambara’s The Lesson is more than just a coming-of-age story—it’s a wake-up call about race, class, and the power of education. Set against the backdrop of post-Civil Rights America, it forces us to confront economic injustice and privilege in ways that are still painfully relevant today.

Through Sylvia’s experience, Bambara shows us that awareness is the first step toward change. Once you see inequality for what it is, you can’t unsee it—and that’s the lesson that stays with you long after you finish reading.

Works Cited

  • Bambara, Toni Cade. The Lesson. 1972.
  • Collins, Patricia Hill. Black Feminist Thought: Knowledge, Consciousness, and the Politics of Empowerment. Routledge, 2000.
  • Harrington, Michael. The Other America: Poverty in the United States. Scribner, 1962.
  • Marable, Manning. How Capitalism Underdeveloped Black America: Problems in Race, Political Economy, and Society. Haymarket Books, 1983.
  • Trotter, Joe William. Workers on Arrival: Black Labor in the Making of America. University of California Press, 2019.
  • West, Cornel. Race Matters. Beacon Press, 1993.