The Stolen Party
An Analysis of Liliana Heker’s “The Stolen Party”
Innocence is a precious gift that we all have at some point. In Liliana Heker’s ‘The Stolen Party’, Rosaura experiences a loss of innocence after attending her friend Luciana’s birthday party. Before the party, Rosaura is unaware of her social standing and she believes has been invited as a friend. Her innocent attitude is amplified while at the party when she demonstrates a sense of superiority towards the other guests. By the end of the party, however, her innocence is shattered when she realizes the differences that exist as a result of her social class. As a result of her experience at the party Rosaura changes from a naive girl and learns that she cannot cross the line from lower class to upper class. Therefore, Heker demonstrates that one’s experience inevitably lead to a loss of innocence. Before the party, Rosaura is innocent and naïve because she does not understand the limitations of her social class. After being invited to Luciana’s birthday, Rosaura is under the impression that she is going as a guest and friend; however, her mother, suggest otherwise. Rosaura tries to convince her mother that she is being unreasonable and insists “rich people to heaven too” (Heker 1). Here, Rosaura demonstrates her ignorance by indicating that she believes both classes are equal. Furthermore, Rosaura continues to argue with her mother and persists that Luciana’s friendship is genuine Rosaura rudely exclaims, “I’ve been invited because Luciana is my friend. So there! (1)” Despite, her mother’s life experience, Rosaura exemplifies her naivety by stating that she knows more about friendship than her mother. Once again, Rosaura clearly dismisses the division between her class and Luciana’s. Finally, after Rosaura’s mother attempts to explain that Rosaura is simply “the maid’s daughter” Rosaura angrily yells, “Shut up! You know nothing about being friends” (1). Rosaura further reveals her innocence by arrogantly
Innocence is a precious gift that we all have at some point. In Liliana Heker’s ‘The Stolen Party’, Rosaura experiences a loss of innocence after attending her friend Luciana’s birthday party. Before the party, Rosaura is unaware of her social standing and she believes has been invited as a friend. Her innocent attitude is amplified while at the party when she demonstrates a sense of superiority towards the other guests. By the end of the party, however, her innocence is shattered when she realizes the differences that exist as a result of her social class. As a result of her experience at the party Rosaura changes from a naive girl and learns that she cannot cross the line from lower class to upper class. Therefore, Heker demonstrates that one’s experience inevitably lead to a loss of innocence. Before the party, Rosaura is innocent and naïve because she does not understand the limitations of her social class. After being invited to Luciana’s birthday, Rosaura is under the impression that she is going as a guest and friend; however, her mother, suggest otherwise. Rosaura tries to convince her mother that she is being unreasonable and insists “rich people to heaven too” (Heker 1). Here, Rosaura demonstrates her ignorance by indicating that she believes both classes are equal. Furthermore, Rosaura continues to argue with her mother and persists that Luciana’s friendship is genuine Rosaura rudely exclaims, “I’ve been invited because Luciana is my friend. So there! (1)” Despite, her mother’s life experience, Rosaura exemplifies her naivety by stating that she knows more about friendship than her mother. Once again, Rosaura clearly dismisses the division between her class and Luciana’s. Finally, after Rosaura’s mother attempts to explain that Rosaura is simply “the maid’s daughter” Rosaura angrily yells, “Shut up! You know nothing about being friends” (1). Rosaura further reveals her innocence by arrogantly