A Two-Class Society Exposed in The Stolen Party
In a perfect world we would all live together in peace. But we don’t live in such a world. In Liliana Heker’s story "The Stolen Party" we are reminded of the real world and the thin line that separates the lower class from the upper class. In an instant we see all the discrimination and inhumane treatment some people feel they have a right to inflict on those whom they consider "not one of them."
The story is about Rosaura, the nine-year-old daughter of a woman who does housecleaning for a wealthy family. Rosaura often accompanies her mother to work and does her homework with Luciana, the daughter of the house. As a result, or so she thinks, Rosaura is Luciana’s friend and has
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Even though the families are of same descent, they live in opposite worlds. We can tell that Senora Ines has had a more successful life than Rosaura’s mother has. She lives in a "beautiful place" and has maids and servants (1134). She can afford anything that she wants and lavishes her daughter with a party. On the other hand, Rosaura’s mother has a job as a maid and can’t afford the luxuries of such a lifestyle. Here we can see the discrimination that people are faced with concerning their social class and status. Rosaura, still young and naïve, hopes to one day be in the same place as her friend. Rosaura lives in a fantasy world where nothing bad happens, and she is blind and innocent to the unfair treatment around her. What she will soon realize is that she is living in the real world where she will learn the truth and see people for what they really are.
Rosaura does not realize is that it is sometimes better to be true to yourself, than pretend to be something you are not. We can tell from how Rosaura is preparing to go to the party that she is trying to make an impression and wants to fit in. She wears her "Christmas dress" and her mother "washes her hair with apple vinegar" so it is nice and shiny (1134). As the party begins Rosaura helps Senora Ines pass out drinks, and feels special because she is the "only one who was let into the kitchen" (1135). As Kevin Elliot argues, Senora Ines takes advantage of
Based on theme two, they reconstructed the myths about whites and blacks. They began to explain the concept of “If they gain, we lose”. There was a concern of the participants having and not having and about sharing privilege but not wanting to give it up (McIntyre, 57). McIntyre explains that there are always exceptions to the rule and it reconstructs the myth of “equal opportunity for all”.
In recent discussion of Democrats and Republican parties, a controversial issue has been whether or not the U.S. should expand their options from more than a two party system. On the one hand, some argue that there should be more choices other than between the two Democrat Party and Republican Party. From this perspective, voters have more of a variety when they vote. On the other hand, some argue that the U.S. should remain as a two party system. In the words of Gary Johnson, one of this view’s main proponents, “The Republicans and Democrats have spent decades trading power back and forth between themselves, and in doing so, have managed to install a two-party duopoly that completely controls America’s political process.” According to this view, Democrats and Republicans are dictating other parties opportunities to get elected. In sum, then, the issue is whether there should be other options rather than a choice between the Democrat and the Republican Party. I agree with Gary Johnson’s view that the Democrat and Republican Parties are controlling America’s
The emerging inequitable class systems and antagonisms of the nineteen twenties saw the traditional order and moral values challenged, as well as the creation of great wealth for few and poverty for many. The Great Gatsby, written by Francis Scott Fitzgerald, explores the causes and effects of the unbalanced class structures. Fitzgerald outlines the idea that the desire to accumulate wealth and status is a common ambition amongst the lower classes; when that desire is reached, the traditional upper class is challenged by the emerging newly wealthy, which finally leads to destructive consequences. By creating rigid class structures, traditional upper class, new wealth, and the poor in The Great Gatsby, it is
In the article, "Class in America", Gregory Mantsios (Myths and Realities 2000) shows us how what class a person is in affects his or hers life more than they think. This article is written sufficiently well however, it does have some weak spots. I will prove my thesis by examining his use of examples and showing factual data and statistics, but also show how this article could have been better.
Rosaura's reaction at the end of the party clearly proves us that she all the time thinks that she is invited because she is friends with Luciana. She is sad to realize that she is, in fact, different from the others, that her mother is right all along and that there is a social distinction between the rich and the poor. It is now that Rosaura knows that she is a maid like her mother. She sees that Senora Ines uses her not because she is special but simply because she
There is much debate about the issue of social class in the United States. There are arguments about whether social classes are distinctly separate or fluid, dependent upon one’s community or society as a whole, and if they are subjective or objective (Hughes and Jenkins). However, despite the debate surrounding social classes, it is still important to try to define them and analyze their effects, as they are such an important part of our identity and our opportunities in society. Although our society has tried to appear as though we have no classes, and it is becoming harder to tell what class someone is in by material goods, classes do still exist today (Scott and Leonhardt). The trend has been to divide the U.S. into four major
As she is directly confronted by prejudice, the way she stands up for herself is admirable. As a reader, there are clues throughout the story that make us question Senora Ines’ intentions, particularly when we notice that ‘“Rosaura was the only one allowed into the kitchen Senora Ines said: “You, yes, but not the others, they’re much too boisterous, they might break something.”’ The reader may feel disappointment that Rosaura is singled out and not allowed to be a child like the others at the party. Her position as the maid’s daughter has ensured that she cannot mingle with the other children in an equal way. Early on Rosaura is not aware of how she is different, but her growing awareness is clearly shown in the end when Senora Ines attempts to pay Rosaura for her help and thanks her, saying ‘“Thank you for all your help, my pet.”’ The use of the phrase “my pet” is very condescending and highlights the insensitivity of Senora Ines to Rosaura’s feelings. Rosaura is placed in a position where she has a choice to make, and she chooses to fight for herself “Rosaura’s eyes has a cold, clear look that fixed itself on Senora Ines’s face.” The detail “fixed” demonstrates her determination. Rather than choose the easier option of taking the money and avoiding confrontation, Rosaura decides to be
No matter where you go in the world people are divided. They can be divided by their wealth or state of living these are social classes. In the novel “The Outsiders” by S.E. Hinton social classes a very apparent the rich and the poor. In The Outsiders, social classes create a divide in the community. The isolation of these two groups lead to the tension and violence that is seen in the book.
norms of the time period dictate that Feste should fear Olivia and regard himself as the lesser.
No matter where you go in the world, people are divided. They can be divided by their wealth or state of living these are social class. In the novel “The Outsiders” by S.E. Hinton social classes a very apparent the rich and the poor. In The Outsiders, social classes create a divide in the community. The isolation of these two groups leads to the tension and violence that is seen in the book.
On Christmas Eve in 2010, my grandmother received a gift from a hospice nurse who was assisting with my grandfather’s deteriorating health. Initially both surprised and embarrassed by the gesture, her emotions quickly changed once she removed the wrapping. A single package of Ramen Noodles was revealed. Embarrassment changed to confusion as she attempted to wrap her mind around what she had received. The hospice worker drove a 1997 Plymouth Voyager that she regularly complained about not being able to run properly for more than a week. She wore old worn out clothing and my grandmother claims she had never seen the woman wear jewelry before. It was evident that she was not wealthy. Although she could not afford a gift, the nurse in her
The Bastards of the Party documentary was based upon the Crips and the Bloods who are the bastard offspring of the political parties such as the 1960’s. The Great Migration occurred upon African-American migrating from the south in order to escape racism and prejudice in the south as well as to seek industrial jobs. There was a train that would stop through every town but blacks could only depart at Central Avenue. We as blacks were limited to certain neighborhoods and places we could live and go for entertainment.
Classism in the United States began as soon as it was conceptualized. Slavery was the first glaring example of classism. Obviously based along racial lines, Africans and African Americans were enslaved with essentially no hope of achieving a higher economic status. With exception of slavery of the time, “on the eve of the American revolution incomes in the 13 colonies that formed the United States were more equal than in virtually any other place on the planet” (“As You Were”). As time went on, the industrial revolution took place, and created large gaps between workers and their superiors (“As You Were”). The trusts that helped the wealthy, become richer were eventually made illegal through president Theodore Roosevelt's trust busting (“As
Social class is defined as 'people having the same social or economic status' (Wordnet). In contemporary American society, social class is based on the amount of money and property you have and also prestige. Prestige is given to a person through the line of work or the family that they come from. For example, upper-upper class member Jennifer Lopez reeks of prestige not only because she has millions of dollars in her bank account, but she has very expensive luxuries, cars, and houses.
class, or the Outer Party, are trying to become part of the higher class. While the poor, or