Literary Argumentative Essay Example

Prompt: In the short story The Stolen Party a young girl happily attends a birthday party only to learn
an important lesson about humanity. Many readers feel that the story is a reflection of the class division
of the Argentinian society. Do you agree with this statement? Write an argumentative essay explaining
your position. Use examples from the text to support your claim.

Everywhere there is color. Bright cloths and flowers adorn every table. Bouquets of red, blue,
green, and yellow balloons hover in the air from the hands of excited children. A three-tiered birthday
cake seems to glow in its place among shiny, glittering wrapped packages. A childs birthday party. Few
images evoke such innocent joy as an event such as this; however, a closer look tells a different story.
Hidden among the happy colors is a dark secreta truth about humanity and their society that the
children do not recognize but willingly play their part. The short story The Stolen Party by Liliana
Heker and its young characters are reflections of the class division present in Argentinian society.
Rosaura was born into a life of service. Not only does she seem comfortable with it, but she
seems to enjoy pleasing others. It is clear to the reader early on in the story that Rosuaras presence at the
party seems to have a purpose outside of her own pleasure. We see her sharing the secret of the monkey
with the hostess and helping to serve the orange juice. This only increases Rosauras happiness, though it
already begins to show the separation of Rosaura from the other children. The first indication that the
separation is clearly class-based is with the introduction of the girl with the bow who proclaims, you
are not a friend of Luciana because Im her cousin and I know all her friends. And I dont know you
(Heker 83). Rosaura explains that she is the employees daughter, and before the girl with the bow can
respond, Senora Inez interrupts them preventing the girl from insulting Rosaura. This does not prevent the
reader from recognizing that the insult would have been related to Rosauras position in society. Rosaura
is poor; she is the daughter of a servant. The birthday party consists of the honored guests, wealthy
children of the aristocracy, and those who are there to serve them, just like the world in which they live.
Some readers may interpret Rosauras relationship with Luciana as being one of true friendship
thus disproving that the storys theme is class division. The two girls do spend time together. Every
afternoon she used to go to Lucianas house and they would both finish their homwork while Rosaruas
mother did the cleaning. They had their tea in the kitchen and they told each other secrets (Heker 81).
There have certainly been friendships in literature and life that have crossed class lines. This is not one of
them. While Rosaura did receive an invitation to the party it is clear from the time she gets there that her
purpose in attending is not what she thinks it is. Throughout the day Rosaura fulfills the role of service
completely ignorant of that role and the fact that the other children know it. Looking closely at the story it
becomes evident that she did not really spend time with Luciana at the party. Though Rosaura does not
notice this, nor mind it, it is an indication that she is merely fulfilling her role in society just as she was at
the party.
The people, like the girl with the bow and Senora Inez, are not the only class references in the
story. After a wonderful party Rosauras mother comes to pick her up. Rosaura watches all the children
take home free gifts, beautiful bracelets for the girls and fun yoyos for the boys. What a luxury, Rosaura
must have thought. A toy to herself for no other reason than showing up at a party she was honored to
attend and that she enjoyed immensely. But she does not get a toyno bracelet or even a yoyo. Inez

gives the toys to all the other children first, then gives Rosaura what only a wealthy person would think a
poor child wantedmoney. You really earned thisThank you for all your help, my pet (Heker 85).
This clearly shows the societal mindset that the poor do not need beauty or fun like their wealthy
counterparts, but only the necessity for survivalmoney. Inez did not mean to hurt Rosaura. She did not
want her to be unhappy, but her position in society blinded her to the basic need of Rosaura to feel like
she belonged.
The tables are smeared with dark frosting and littered with dirty plates. Balloons have long since
popped and lay in ragged pieces on the floor. All that remains of the cake is crumbs amid torn wrapping
paper. In time Rosauras mother will restore the house to its original grandeur because that is her job. It
will be easier than trying to restore Rosauras innocence.