The Stolen Party By Liliana Heker

Young individual’s perspectives change and mature as they go through experiences, both good and bad. In the short story, “The Stolen Party,” written by Liliana Heker, Rosaura’s childish view and enthusiasm is stolen from her. Initially Rosaura stubbornly argues with her female parent that she is getting to the birthday party as an invited friend. As the story progresses Rosaura is over confident as she is consistently called upon by Senora Ines to help host the party. Towards the end, Rosaura figures out that she was taken advantage of and discriminated against because of her socioeconomic class. Therefore, Rosaura’s experience of the party changes her positive perspective about rich people to a negative one, causing her to mature.
Initially Rosaura stubbornly argues with her mother that she is going to the birthday party as an invited friend. Rosaura accuses her mother of being unjust toward her friends “simply because they were rich.” Since her mother had experienced discrimination before she felt that Rosaura was not a true guest. Rosaura cannot understand how or why social position matters in friendships. She would

not drop the idea that Luciana was her friend because “they told each other secrets.” Herminia, Rosaura’s mother insisted her that “[Luciana was] not [her] friend,” but that they considered Rosaura a servant, nothing more. Rosaura’s stubbornness results in her mother letting Rosaura go to the birthday party where she starts to become pompous.
As the story progresses Rosaura is over confident as she is consistently called upon by Senora Ines to help host the party.

Luciana had told Rosaura that there was going to be a monkey at the party. When she was at the house Senora Ines allowed no one else but Rosaura to see it because she was behaved and the only child who knew “her way around the house.” Rosaura had already been feeling special, but was even more surprised when Senora Ines gave her the privilege of “[managing] the jug of orange juice.” On top of the orange juice and seeing the monkey first, Rosaura’s mood was once again inflated when Senora Ines gave her the job of being “queen.” She had the “power over her subjects” while handing out slices of cake. In Conclusion, Senora Ines singles Rosaura out from the other guests and all the while Rosaura continues to build false

pride.
Towards the end, Rosaura figures out that she was taken advantage of and discriminated against because of her socio-economic class. When Herminia had come to pick Rosaura up, Rosaura was “beaming” with excitement. She told her mother about all the special privileges she was given and how she was the “best behaved at the party.” Rosaura was still feeling confident that she was a special guest. As children left, they were each given a toy from Senora Ines. Rosaura had thought she was going to be given two toys but instead was given two bills. Rosaura was horrified—“her arms [stiffened]” and she stared intently at Senora Ines knowing she was just the maid all along. In that moment Rosaura learned a very hard lesson about friendship and society, something her mother had tried to warn her about. Rosaura leaned “against her mother’s body” as her mother placed the hand of understanding on her daughter’s shoulder for comfort.
At the party, after f