Paulina And Dorfman Reflection

Reflective statement: What we discussed in my IOD, death and maiden helped me understand paulinas relationship with gerardo. In the IOD I learned paulina was suffering from post rape trauma syndrome and to cope with it she was silent for 15 years. Not to mention the syndrome also included struggling with anger,confusion,flashbacks,nightmares,relationships and unable to socialize. Rape trauma syndrome came with 2 phases after the rape, the phases are guilt and shame, then posttraumatic stress syndrome. This reflect greatly to the relationship Paulina and Gerardo are in. Gerado also cheated which means their relationship started off with a lack of communication and trust. What I learned differently is that even if their relationship started from a lack of trust and communication Paulina needs Gerardo and vice versa. If it weren’t for Gerardo, Paulina would of been silent forever clinging to the past. Dorfman clearly shows that Paulina needs Gerado to set her free of her past. Not only that the discussion made realized the strength of paulina 's will. In the IOD I learned that there was 2 groups that rebelled against dictatorship. One was …show more content…
In Death and the Maiden, Ariel Dorfman uses symbolism to represent the problems from machismo culture to today 's society. Furthermore Dorfman demonstrates the effect of machismo-ness in the play through the character’s actions. More specifically, Dorfman uses reverse gender roles to break the traditional gender role by challenging it constantly throughout the story. In Death and the Maiden, Ariel Dorfman also uses characterization to show machismo affecting their actions in the play; therefore suggesting that Paulina have to take certain actions in the play. What Dorfman is trying to say about our society is that women have to sacrifice more in order to be