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The Marxist Lens In Liliana Heker's 'The Stolen Party'

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The Marxist (Socio-Economic) Lens is based on the theories of philosophers & economists, Karl Marx & Friedrich Engles. It says that a society is made up of a set of concepts, beliefs, values, & ways of thinking that are influenced by that society’s economic & class structures. Critical lenses serve to showcase another person’s perspective & background in life. By using & understanding lenses, we can come to understand where someone else is coming from & better meet in the middle in discussions & debates. Even if we don’t agree with the other person’s perspective or ideas, we have a better understanding of them which reduces misinformation & encourages disagreements to be talked out civilly. For example, in “The Stolen Party”, Liliana Heker …show more content…

Within the text there are 5 moments of foreshadowing throughout the story before it’s revealed that Luciana doesn’t see Rosara as a friend & that Rosaura isn’t at the party as a guest. But this ain’t about that. This is about when Rosaura was leaving & Senora Ines “rummaged in her purse [& held out] two bills” to Rosaura (Heker 63). Senora Ines paying Rosaura for coming instead of giving her a bracelet or yoyo like other party guests had gotten was the plot twist that revealed Senora Ines used a child as a servant. Senora Ines invited Rosaura to Luciana’s party, let her participate in the activities, & had her set- & clean-up to then give Rosaura $2. Which is $4 by today’s standards. Senora Ines no longer sees lower class citizens as equals to herself & her family. She sees them all as less human than herself. She sees them all as potential employees. She tricks Rosaura into being a child-maid under the guise of an invitation & an implication of being the most trustworthy of all the children at the party. Senora Ines told Rosaura that she is the only child allowed in the kitchen because “[the others are] much too boisterous.” (Heker 13) Senora Ines doesn't just see Rosaura as Herminia’s daughter, she sees Rosaura as an employee's daughter, & therefore sees Rosaura as an employee herself. Which is exactly what Herminia says at the beginning

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