Death and the Maiden – Ariel Dorfman

• Paulina’s decision to take Roberto hostage as a way to seek justice on her own terms.
• Gerardo’s insistence on a legal approach to address past crimes, contrasting with Paulina’s desire for immediate retribution.
• Paulina’s use of the gun to threaten Roberto, reflecting her internal struggle between justice and revenge.
• Gerardo’s argument that justice should be carried out by the newly established government, not by individuals.
• Paulina forcing a confession from Roberto, blurring the line between justice and revenge.
• The ambiguity surrounding Roberto’s guilt, which complicates the notion of justice.
• Paulina’s recollection of her torture and her belief that only revenge can bring her peace.
• The play’s setting in a post-dictatorship society, where justice for past crimes is elusive.
• Gerardo’s attempt to mediate between Paulina and Roberto, reflecting a desire for reconciliation rather than revenge.
• Paulina’s refusal to let Gerardo negotiate with Roberto, emphasizing her need for personal justice.
• The theme of revenge is highlighted when Paulina mentions wanting Roberto to feel the same fear she felt during her torture.
• Paulina’s decision to use the tape recorder as a tool to extract a confession, symbolizing her quest for justice.
• Gerardo’s hesitance to support Paulina’s actions, indicating his fear that revenge might overshadow justice.
• The play’s ending, where the question of whether Paulina achieves justice or merely enacts revenge is left unresolved.
• Paulina’s belief that the legal system cannot deliver justice for what she endured, driving her toward revenge.
• The ethical dilemma Gerardo faces when deciding whether to support Paulina’s actions or uphold the law.
• Paulina’s claim that she is enacting justice for all the women who suffered under the dictatorship, not just herself.
• The play’s exploration of whether true justice can be achieved in the absence of institutional support.
• Paulina’s final decision to release Roberto, reflecting her internal conflict between justice and revenge.
• The play’s overall questioning of whether justice can ever truly be separated from revenge in cases of extreme trauma.

2. Trauma and Memory

• Paulina’s constant reliving of her torture, showing how trauma has shaped her life.
• The trigger of Roberto’s voice, which brings Paulina’s traumatic memories to the forefront.
• Paulina’s fixation on details from her torture, indicating how trauma affects her memory.
• Gerardo’s attempts to downplay Paulina’s trauma, highlighting the gap between their experiences.
• Paulina’s inability to forget her past, even in the face of a new political reality.
• The struggle Paulina faces in distinguishing between her memories and her present reality.
• The recurring motif of Schubert’s “Death and the Maiden,” which symbolizes Paulina’s traumatic past.
• The impact of trauma on Paulina’s ability to trust others, particularly Gerardo.
• Paulina’s physical reaction to Roberto’s presence, indicating how deeply her trauma is ingrained.
• The role of trauma in shaping Paulina’s sense of identity and her actions throughout the play.
• The way Paulina’s memories of torture dictate her interactions with Roberto and Gerardo.
• Paulina’s assertion that she will never be free from her past, reflecting the permanence of trauma.
• The conflict between Paulina’s memories and Gerardo’s perception of the past, highlighting the subjectivity of trauma.
• The way Paulina’s trauma affects her relationship with Gerardo, creating distance between them.
• Paulina’s fear of re-experiencing her trauma if Roberto is not held accountable.
• The role of trauma in shaping Paulina’s worldview, making her suspicious of those around her.
• Paulina’s need to confront her past in order to move forward, despite the pain it causes her.
• The play’s exploration of how trauma can distort memory, making it difficult to distinguish between reality and perception.
• Paulina’s struggle to reconcile her memories with the present, leading to her taking drastic actions.
• The play’s ending, which leaves Paulina’s trauma unresolved, suggesting that some wounds may never heal.

3. Truth and Reconciliation

• Paulina’s demand for the truth from Roberto as a prerequisite for reconciliation.
• Gerardo’s role on the commission to investigate past human rights abuses, reflecting the national pursuit of truth.
• The tension between Paulina’s need for truth and Gerardo’s desire for reconciliation.
• The ambiguity of Roberto’s guilt, which complicates the pursuit of truth.
• Paulina’s assertion that without the truth, reconciliation is impossible.
• The play’s exploration of whether truth can ever be fully known or if it remains subjective.
• Paulina’s use of the tape recorder to capture Roberto’s confession, symbolizing her search for truth.
• The conflict between Paulina’s need for a personal truth and Gerardo’s focus on collective reconciliation.
• The play’s questioning of whether reconciliation can occur without justice.
• Paulina’s refusal to forgive without a full confession from Roberto, emphasizing the importance of truth.
• The role of the commission in uncovering the truth about past atrocities, contrasting with Paulina’s personal investigation.
• Gerardo’s belief that reconciliation requires moving beyond the past, while Paulina insists on confronting it.
• The tension between public and private forms of reconciliation, as seen in Paulina and Gerardo’s differing approaches.
• The play’s exploration of whether the truth can be used as a tool for healing or if it only reopens old wounds.
• Paulina’s insistence that Roberto acknowledge his crimes as a way to validate her experience.
• The role of truth in shaping Paulina’s identity, as she seeks to reclaim her past through Roberto’s confession.
• The play’s ending, which leaves the question of truth unresolved, reflecting the complexities of reconciliation.
• Paulina’s fear that without the truth, the cycle of violence will continue.
• The way the play juxtaposes the national pursuit of truth with Paulina’s personal quest, highlighting the challenges of reconciliation.
• Paulina’s final decision to release Roberto, which raises questions about whether reconciliation is possible without full disclosure of the truth.

4. Power and Control

• Paulina’s use of the gun to assert control over Roberto, reversing the power dynamic.
• Roberto’s initial confidence, which is gradually eroded as Paulina takes control.
• Gerardo’s attempts to mediate, reflecting his struggle to maintain control over the situation.
• Paulina’s control over the narrative, as she forces Roberto to listen to her story.
• The power struggle between Paulina and Roberto, with each trying to assert dominance.
• The way Paulina’s past experiences of powerlessness drive her need to control the present.
• The shifting power dynamics as Gerardo alternates between supporting Paulina and trying to protect Roberto.
• Paulina’s control over the physical space of the room, as she decides where Roberto is positioned.
• The symbolic power of the tape recorder, which Paulina uses to document Roberto’s confession.
• The way the play explores the relationship between power and violence, particularly in the context of torture.
• Paulina’s control over the truth, as she determines what will be revealed and what will be hidden.
• The play’s exploration of how power can corrupt, as seen in Paulina’s increasing ruthlessness.
• The power dynamics between men and women, as Paulina challenges the patriarchal structures that oppressed her.
• The way Roberto’s power is stripped away, reducing him from a respected doctor to a captive.
• The role of power in shaping identity, as Paulina seeks to reclaim the power she lost during her torture.
• Gerardo’s struggle to assert his authority as a lawyer, while also grappling with his personal loyalties.
• The play’s exploration of how power can be both a means of protection and a source of danger.
• Paulina’s manipulation of the situation to gain the upper hand, reflecting her need for control.
• The way power is portrayed as fluid, with characters constantly vying for dominance.
• The play’s ending, which leaves the question of who ultimately holds the power unresolved.

5. Guilt and Innocence

• Paulina’s accusations against Roberto, which raise questions about his guilt.
• The ambiguity surrounding Roberto’s involvement in Paulina’s torture, reflecting the complexity of guilt.
• Gerardo’s defense of Roberto, which contrasts with Paulina’s certainty of his guilt.
• The play’s exploration of collective guilt, as seen in the society’s struggle to come to terms with its past.
• Paulina’s guilt over her actions, as she questions whether she is becoming like her tormentors.
• Roberto’s denial of guilt, which complicates the narrative and challenges the audience’s perceptions.
• The way guilt is portrayed as both a personal and societal issue, with implications for all the characters.
• Gerardo’s guilt over his failure to protect Paulina during the dictatorship, which affects his actions in the present.
• The play’s exploration of how guilt can be both a burden and a motivator, driving characters to seek redemption.
• Paulina’s need to prove Roberto’s guilt as a way to validate her own experiences.
• The way guilt is linked to identity, with characters struggling to reconcile their past actions with their present selves.
• Roberto’s fear of being falsely accused, reflecting the dangers of guilt by association.
• The play’s exploration of the consequences of guilt, both for individuals and for society as a whole.
• Paulina’s belief that she must make Roberto confess to relieve her own sense of guilt.
• The way guilt is portrayed as a complex emotion, with characters experiencing it in different ways.
• Gerardo’s guilt over his complicity in the new government’s failure to fully address past crimes.
• The play’s questioning of whether true innocence can exist in a society marked by such profound violence.
• Paulina’s struggle with the guilt of her own actions, as she tortures Roberto in the same way she was tortured.
• The ambiguity of Roberto’s guilt, which forces the audience to confront their own assumptions.
• The play’s ending, which leaves the question of guilt unresolved, reflecting the complexities of justice.

6. Trust and Betrayal

• Paulina’s distrust of Gerardo, reflecting the strain on their relationship due to past betrayals.
• The play’s exploration of the fragility of trust, particularly in the context of a post-dictatorship society.
• Paulina’s suspicion of Roberto, which drives her actions throughout the play.
• Gerardo’s betrayal of Paulina’s trust by defending Roberto, highlighting the tension between personal and professional loyalty.
• The play’s questioning of whether trust can ever be fully restored after betrayal.
• Paulina’s fear of being betrayed again, which influences her interactions with both Gerardo and Roberto.
• The role of betrayal in shaping Paulina’s identity, as she grapples with the trauma of her past.
• Gerardo’s struggle to maintain Paulina’s trust while also fulfilling his duties as a lawyer.
• The play’s exploration of how betrayal can lead to a cycle of mistrust and violence.
• Paulina’s refusal to trust anyone, reflecting the deep scars left by her torture.
• The way trust is portrayed as both a necessity and a vulnerability, with characters constantly navigating this tension.
• Roberto’s attempts to gain Paulina’s trust, even as she accuses him of betrayal.
• The play’s exploration of the impact of betrayal on relationships, particularly between Paulina and Gerardo.
• Paulina’s need for proof of Roberto’s guilt before she can trust him, highlighting the complexity of trust.
• Gerardo’s attempts to rebuild trust with Paulina, despite the damage done by his actions.
• The play’s questioning of whether trust can exist in a society where betrayal was once a survival tactic.
• Paulina’s struggle to trust her own memories, as she grapples with the possibility of false recollections.
• The role of trust in the play’s power dynamics, with characters using it as a tool to manipulate each other.
• The way betrayal is portrayed as both a personal and societal issue, with implications for all the characters.
• The play’s ending, which leaves the question of whether trust can ever be fully restored unresolved.

7. Identity and Transformation

• Paulina’s transformation from a victim to an avenger, reflecting her struggle to reclaim her identity.
• The play’s exploration of how trauma can shape and distort identity, particularly in the case of Paulina.
• Roberto’s identity as a doctor, which contrasts with Paulina’s accusations and challenges the audience’s perceptions.
• Gerardo’s identity as both a lawyer and Paulina’s husband, which creates a conflict of interest and loyalty.
• The way Paulina’s identity is tied to her past experiences, making it difficult for her to move forward.
• The play’s exploration of the fluidity of identity, with characters constantly shifting roles and perspectives.
• Paulina’s struggle to reconcile her past and present selves, leading to a crisis of identity.
• The role of memory in shaping identity, particularly in the way Paulina remembers her torture.
• Roberto’s attempts to assert his identity as an innocent man, despite Paulina’s accusations.
• The play’s questioning of whether true identity can ever be fully known or if it remains elusive.
• Paulina’s transformation over the course of the play, as she grapples with her desire for revenge and justice.
• The way identity is portrayed as both a personal and societal issue, with implications for all the characters.
• Gerardo’s struggle to balance his identity as a lawyer with his loyalty to Paulina, reflecting the complexity of identity.
• The play’s exploration of how identity can be shaped by external factors, such as societal expectations and trauma.
• Paulina’s fear of losing her identity if she does not confront her past, driving her actions throughout the play.
• The role of identity in the play’s power dynamics, with characters using their identities to assert control.
• The way the play challenges traditional notions of identity, particularly in the case of gender and power.
• Paulina’s assertion of her identity as a survivor, which contrasts with Roberto’s attempts to deny his role in her torture.
• The play’s exploration of the intersection of personal and collective identities, particularly in the context of a post-dictatorship society.
• The play’s ending, which leaves the question of identity unresolved, reflecting the complexities of selfhood and transformation.

8. Fear and Courage

• Paulina’s fear of reliving her trauma, which drives her actions throughout the play.
• The courage Paulina shows in confronting Roberto, despite the fear it causes her.
• Gerardo’s fear of the consequences of Paulina’s actions, reflecting his concern for both her and Roberto’s safety.
• The way fear is portrayed as both a motivator and a paralyzer, with characters constantly navigating this tension.
• Paulina’s fear of not being believed, which influences her interactions with Gerardo and Roberto.
• The courage Paulina shows in refusing to back down, even when faced with the possibility of being wrong.
• Gerardo’s fear of losing Paulina’s trust, which complicates his attempts to mediate between her and Roberto.
• The way fear is used as a tool of control, particularly in the power dynamics between Paulina and Roberto.
• Paulina’s fear of being betrayed again, which influences her actions throughout the play.
• The courage Paulina shows in asserting her identity and reclaiming her power, despite the fear it causes her.
• Gerardo’s fear of the past coming back to haunt them, reflecting the lingering impact of trauma.
• The play’s exploration of how fear can distort memory and perception, particularly in the case of Paulina.
• The courage Paulina shows in confronting her past, even though it threatens to overwhelm her.
• The way fear is portrayed as both a personal and societal issue, with implications for all the characters.
• Paulina’s fear of losing control, which drives her need to assert power over Roberto.
• The courage Paulina shows in seeking justice on her own terms, despite the fear of reprisal.
• The play’s exploration of how fear can shape identity, particularly in the way Paulina remembers her torture.
• Gerardo’s fear of the consequences of Paulina’s actions, which complicates his attempts to mediate the situation.
• The courage Paulina shows in refusing to be silenced, despite the fear it causes her.
• The play’s ending, which leaves the question of whether courage can ever fully overcome fear unresolved.

9. Hope and Despair

• Paulina’s hope for justice, which drives her actions throughout the play.
• The despair Paulina feels when she realizes that justice may never be achieved.
• Gerardo’s hope for reconciliation, contrasting with Paulina’s focus on justice.
• The despair Roberto feels as he is confronted with Paulina’s accusations.
• Paulina’s hope that confronting Roberto will bring her peace, despite the pain it causes her.
• The despair Gerardo feels when he realizes that he may not be able to protect both Paulina and Roberto.
• The play’s exploration of how hope can be both a motivator and a source of pain.
• Paulina’s hope for validation, as she seeks to prove Roberto’s guilt and reclaim her identity.
• The despair Paulina feels when she is forced to confront the possibility that she may be wrong.
• Gerardo’s hope for a better future, contrasting with Paulina’s focus on the past.
• The play’s exploration of the tension between hope and despair, with characters constantly navigating this dichotomy.
• Paulina’s hope that her actions will bring about change, despite the fear and uncertainty she feels.
• The despair Roberto feels as his sense of identity is challenged by Paulina’s accusations.
• Paulina’s hope that confronting Roberto will bring closure, even though it threatens to reopen old wounds.
• The play’s exploration of how hope can be both a source of strength and a source of vulnerability.
• Gerardo’s hope for peace, contrasting with Paulina’s need for justice.
• The despair Paulina feels when she realizes that the cycle of violence may never be broken.
• Paulina’s hope for redemption, as she grapples with the moral implications of her actions.
• The play’s exploration of how hope can be both a personal and collective issue, with implications for all the characters.
• The play’s ending, which leaves the question of whether hope can ever fully overcome despair unresolved.

10. Freedom and Oppression

• Paulina’s struggle for freedom from her past, which drives her actions throughout the play.
• The oppression Paulina experienced during her torture, which continues to haunt her in the present.
• Gerardo’s role in the new government, reflecting the tension between personal freedom and societal responsibility.
• The play’s exploration of how oppression can shape identity, particularly in the case of Paulina.
• Roberto’s attempts to assert his freedom, despite Paulina’s accusations.
• The way the play portrays freedom as both a personal and societal issue, with implications for all the characters.
• Paulina’s struggle to reclaim her freedom, even as she grapples with the trauma of her past.
• The oppression Paulina feels in her relationship with Gerardo, as he tries to mediate between her and Roberto.
• The play’s exploration of how freedom can be both a source of strength and a source of vulnerability.
• Paulina’s need for freedom from the cycle of violence, which drives her actions throughout the play.
• The oppression Roberto feels as he is confronted with Paulina’s accusations, challenging his sense of identity.
• The way the play portrays freedom as both a necessity and a vulnerability, with characters constantly navigating this tension.
• Paulina’s fear of losing her freedom, which influences her actions throughout the play.
• The oppression Paulina feels in her need to prove Roberto’s guilt, reflecting the complexity of freedom.
• The play’s exploration of how oppression can lead to a cycle of violence and mistrust.
• Paulina’s assertion of her freedom, despite the fear and uncertainty it causes her.
• The oppression Paulina experienced during her torture, which continues to shape her identity in the present.
• The play’s exploration of the intersection of personal and societal freedom, particularly in the context of a post-dictatorship society.
• Paulina’s struggle to reclaim her freedom, even as she confronts the trauma of her past.
• The play’s ending, which leaves the question of whether freedom can ever fully overcome oppression unresolved.