"The Stolen Party" is a short story written by Liliana Heker.
The narrative explores themes related to
social class, inequality, and the consequences of naivety. The story follows a young girl named
Rosaura who attends a birthday party for her friend Luciana. Several themes and tones can be
identified in the story:
1. **Social Class and Inequality: **
- Theme: The story revolves around the theme of social class and the stark inequalities that exist
between different socioeconomic groups. Rosaura, coming from a lower social class, is initially
unaware of the distinctions and the social barriers that exist.
2. **Naivety and Innocence:**
- Theme: The theme of innocence is prevalent as Rosaura is initially oblivious to the social
dynamics at play. Her innocence and naivety shape her perception of the world and the events at
the party.
3. **Exploitation:**
- Theme: There's a subtle theme of exploitation as Rosaura is invited to work as an entertainer at
the party, reinforcing the idea that people from different social classes may be taken advantage of.
4. **Disillusionment:**
- Tone: The tone of the story shifts from innocence to disillusionment as Rosaura gradually realizes
the true nature of her role at the party and how she is perceived by the other guests.
5. **Symbolism of the Monkey:**
- Theme: The monkey in the story serves as a symbolic representation of Rosaura's social position.
Initially, she believes the monkey is her friend, but later she realizes that she is just like the monkey –
there for entertainment.
6. **Irony:**
- Tone: There is a tone of irony throughout the story. The irony lies in Rosaura's belief that she is a
guest at the party when, in reality, she is there as a hired help.
7. **Betrayal:**
- Theme: The theme of betrayal emerges as Rosaura experiences a sense of betrayal when she
discovers the truth about her status at the party. This adds an emotional layer to the story.
8. **Class Prejudice:**
- Theme: The story highlights the existence of class prejudice, where individuals from different
social classes are treated differently based on their economic status.
In summary, "The Stolen Party" explores complex social themes through the lens of a child's
innocence, and the evolving tones in the story create a poignant narrative that reflects the harsh
realities of social inequality.
