symbols
In "The Stolen Party," this animal at Luciana's birthday party represented how Rosaura was brought in to perform and entertain rather than be a true guest.
monkey
The eager 8-year-old protagonist in "The Stolen Party" who desperately believes she is an equal guest at a wealthy birthday party.
Rosaura
The sudden event on the rainy drive home that makes the narrator fear her mother has died.
What is a car accident / crash?
"That one's not your friend. You know what you are to them? The maid's daughter, that's what." For an extra 100 - be specific with the name!
Who is Rosaura's mother (Herminia)?
Both main characters experience internal conflict because they feel this negative emotion regarding their family's economic status.
shame, embarrassment or insecurity
In "The White Umbrella," this perfect object represented the narrator's intense desire for wealth, status, and middle-class perfection.
white umbrella
The full name of the wealthy, graceful student in piano class who the narrator thinks owns the white umbrella.
Eugenie Roberts
The secret job the narrator's mother takes to help support the family, causing the narrator to feel deep shame.
What is an A&P grocery checkout clerk / cashier?
"I wish you were my mother."
Who is the narrator of "The White Umbrella"?
This conflict is represented by the narrator being upset that she told Ms. Crosman she wished she was her mother.
person vs. self
At the end of Luciana's party, Señora Inés bypasses the toy bags and hands Rosaura these, shattering her illusion of equal friendship.
two bills
The kind, supportive piano teacher who gifts the white umbrella to the narrator.
Ms. Crosman
Rosaura realizes she was viewed as domestic help when Señora Inés reaches into this object instead of the gift bags.
What is her purse?
"You really and truly earned this. Thank you for all your help, my pet."
Who is Señora Inés?
In both stories, the main conflict can be categorized as this type when characters struggle against social boundaries.
What is Person vs. Society?
The narrator throws her white umbrella here at the end of the story to show she actively rejects her shame and chooses her family.
sewer
The guest at Luciana's party who challenges Rosaura by saying, "You are not a friend of Luciana because I'm her cousin."
Who is the girl with the bow?
The elaborate lie the narrator tells Miss Crosman to hide her family's working-class reality.
What is claiming her mother is a concert pianist (or that they own a convertible)?
"She's working! She's working! She's working!" Be specific with the name!
Who is Mona (the narrator's younger sister)?
An example of the mother in "The White Umbrella" showing how she sacrifices for her daughters.
getting a job even though it's against their culture
In "The Stolen Party," Rosaura's mother starches this specific piece of clothing, symbolizing both Rosaura's pure innocence and her mother's quiet, sacrifice-filled love.
white Christmas dress
The magician's public insult to a small fat boy who drops the monkey on stage, calling him unmanly and this label.
What is a "sissy"?
The physical act Rosaura carries out against Luciana's cousin after being questioned if she is a friend.
What is kicking her in the shin?
"Things... What's the matter with a raincoat? All you want is things, just like an American."
Who is the narrator's mother in "The White Umbrella"?
The narrator realizes this is more important after the car crash.
family