Below, I
provide further information about the monkey and the magician as symbols in the story.
The text tells us that the magician calls the monkey his "partner." During
shows, the magician addresses the monkey respectfully; when the animal becomes distracted, he
draws him back with kind words and reminders. However, the magician's apparently high regard for
the monkey is belied by the fact that he keeps the latter in a cage prior to
performances.
The magician symbolizes the facade that polite society shows
the world. Personal biases may percolate below the surface, but they are always hidden by
carefully scripted behavior. Meanwhile, the monkey represents those who are dependent on their
betters for their livelihood.
In the story, Senora Ines is like the
magician. She must use deception (or flattery) to draw Rosaura's attention away from the truth
of the situation: Rosaura is merely the hired help at the party. She is not on the same
"level" as the other child guests. This is why Senora...
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