The Stolen Party

"The Stolen Party" is a text about a young girl that is the daughter of a maid of a rich family. The young girl, Rosaura, is invited to the daughter of the rich family's birthday party. Rosaura's mother tries telling Rosaura she is only invited because she is the maid's daughter. Rosaura doesn't believe it and thinks she was invited because they are "friends", so she ends up going.


Through out the party, the daughters mother, Senora Ines, treats Rosaura like a helper and not like a guest to the birthday party. In line 65, Senora Ines asks Rosaura if she wouldn't mind helping serve out the hot dogs. In line 74, Senora Ines asks her to help pass out the cake. Rosaura does not notice though. She feels special Senora Ines is picking her to help with things. In line 66, it says "as she knew the house so much better than the others". In line 75, it says "Rosaura had enjoyed the task immensely, because everyone called out to her, shouting "Me, me!". Senora Ines isn't the only one at the party that treats Rosaura like a helper though. When Rosaura helps the magician hold the money, he calls her "my little countess" in line 105. The magician is almost making a joke out of her because he knew she was the help. Rosaura doesn't seem to notice she was treated like the help at the birthday party until she is about to leave and Senora Ines gives her two dollars, when she gives all the other children a present with a toy inside.
Through out the text there are examples of ascribed status. Rosaura has an ascribed status because of her mother. Since her mother is the maid, Rosaura was treated like one too, and she has no control to change that. What are some other examples of ascribed status through out the text?


At the end of the text, in line 142, it says "As if the slightest change might shatter an infinitely delicate balance". The author puts this in the text for a reason. By "delicate balance", it means the balance between Senora Ines' class and Rosaura's class. If Senora Ines gave Rosaura anymore than two dollars, like a gift, it would mean they were equal, and Rosaura was equal to the other children. By Senora Ines giving Rosaura the two dollars, it was to remind her what her social class is and that she will always be a level lower than her family.