Response to "The Stolen Party"

I recently read the short story, “The Stolen Party” by Liliana Heker. The story discusses the life of Rosaura, a young girl who is excited to attend to her friend Luciana’s birthday party. Her mother warns Rosaura that this party is not for people “Like her” Rosaura doesn’t pay mind to her mother, she stands up for what she believes in a goes to the party, she helps serve food and drink and thinks that she is just being helpful, but at the end of the story, the maid who asked Rosaura to help her tries to pay her for her work. This story brings to light the harsh class structure that even effects young children.

            My first question I had was, why? Why do we even care about difference, what makes a person subjected to ridicule because of something you have or don’t. Why are their always us and them. When I read “The Stolen Party” I saw how Rosaura was looked down upon, it made me sad to think that Senora Inez could not even fathom the idea Rosaura, the maids daughter would be going to Luciana the wealthy birthday girl party. Although their was definitely an interesting balance of power throughout the book. I almost saw somewhat of a power triangle within, Rosaura, Mother and Luciana. Rosaura has the power to fight for her beliefs and fight for what she believes is right stand up for herself. She has the power to stay confident and somewhat naïve. I believe that the reason Rosaura had this power is because in some part of her mind she knows that her Mother has a chance of being correct, and knows there is a difference between the way Luciana is treated and the way that she is treated. The Mother has the power because she can decide when Rosaura will be let down by her class structure. She has an interesting way of reacting to power, at first she seems to throw up her hands and make no effort of rebellion; she just says well I guess that’s the way it is. But she resists for her daughters sake and lets out her true emotion about the class structure. Luciana has the power to lead Rosauras confidence and the feeling that that makes her stand up for herself. If she doesn’t act welcoming and kind it will guarantee that Rosaura will think her Mother was right. Luciana reacts to power by being oblivious and indifferent to her there is no class structure by doing this she is resisting power. In this Power Triangle I noticed that they all connect because they all can make a difference on how one of them sees the world and the class system.

             Another thought I had while reading this book was how the author used very specific words and phrases to help establish her characters and general theme and feel of the story. Heker complexly develops her characters in this way, uses phrases like secretive look showing how Rosaura and Luciana share this proving Rosaura’s Mother wrong. Admired herself and terribly pretty showing how confidant, proud of herself and resistant to her Mothers words, Rosaura is. These words and phrases make Rosaura glow with a certain yearning for resistance.

            Rosaura’s adventure has really made impact. Showing how there is a delicate balance between power and resistance. It relays the strong message of class structure and the reactions and responses people have to it. The Stolen Party shows how in our lives power doesn’t always lye with the people who deserve it. Life is obviously not fair but this short story shows how unfair it can be. And how utterly out of your control it can be. In your daily lives you must stand up for what you believe is just, stand up for your race, your religion, your origins and be proud of who you are.