World Lit draft 1 – Death and The Maiden
How does the gun change the role of Paulina Salas in Ariel Dorman’s play ‘Death and the Maiden’?
Ariel Dorfman’s ‘Death and The Maiden’ is a play unlike any other. The play takes place in the post dictatorship world of an unnamed country. Dorfman takes us through a story of crime and justice as we learn about the struggle of Paulina Salas. Paulina had been raped a number of years ago by a group of men containing a sadistic doctor whose face she never saw. When the apparent rapist lands at Paulina’ doorstep a few years on, he has no idea what he’s in for. Paulina has one thing and one thing only on her mind, justice.
In the beginning of the play, the audience is promptly made aware that there seems to be something peculiar about Paulina. Startled by an unfamiliar car motor arriving outside, she pulls out a gun. She instantly seems to be an important character in the play, as Dorfman has already made the audience think and speculate about her. Married to a lawyer named Gerardo Escobar, she seems to lead the regular life of a housewife however Dorfman has made us aware of her apparent insecurity.
Paulina’s inferiority in the household is also brought out early in the play. “My wife makes a margarita …show more content…
Everything seems to have changed due to Paulina’s power. Former expectations, reputations, roles and stereotypes are all thrown out of the window as soon as Paulina has a weapon in her hand. In contrast to the beginning of the play, Paulina is no longer insecure or inferior in the household. However, she seems to maintain a loyalty towards Gerardo, depicting her love for him. “Of course I’m going to listen to you. Haven’t I always listened to you?” The power of the gun hasn’t corrupted her to the extent that she has lost respect for a husband. However, everything else about her seems to change simply due to the authority the gun has provided her
How does the gun change the role of Paulina Salas in Ariel Dorman’s play ‘Death and the Maiden’?
Ariel Dorfman’s ‘Death and The Maiden’ is a play unlike any other. The play takes place in the post dictatorship world of an unnamed country. Dorfman takes us through a story of crime and justice as we learn about the struggle of Paulina Salas. Paulina had been raped a number of years ago by a group of men containing a sadistic doctor whose face she never saw. When the apparent rapist lands at Paulina’ doorstep a few years on, he has no idea what he’s in for. Paulina has one thing and one thing only on her mind, justice.
In the beginning of the play, the audience is promptly made aware that there seems to be something peculiar about Paulina. Startled by an unfamiliar car motor arriving outside, she pulls out a gun. She instantly seems to be an important character in the play, as Dorfman has already made the audience think and speculate about her. Married to a lawyer named Gerardo Escobar, she seems to lead the regular life of a housewife however Dorfman has made us aware of her apparent insecurity.
Paulina’s inferiority in the household is also brought out early in the play. “My wife makes a margarita …show more content…
Everything seems to have changed due to Paulina’s power. Former expectations, reputations, roles and stereotypes are all thrown out of the window as soon as Paulina has a weapon in her hand. In contrast to the beginning of the play, Paulina is no longer insecure or inferior in the household. However, she seems to maintain a loyalty towards Gerardo, depicting her love for him. “Of course I’m going to listen to you. Haven’t I always listened to you?” The power of the gun hasn’t corrupted her to the extent that she has lost respect for a husband. However, everything else about her seems to change simply due to the authority the gun has provided her