Death & the maiden - symbols/ motifs & other + characterisation

Roberto - shows theme of dishonesty and manipulation - regime, Roberto represents old regime & the tactics they used

"The real, real truth."

Gerardo - represents new regime & order + justice, afraid of his authority being undermined?/ has a big ego & thinks he can fix everything himself

theme

Paulina's gun - represents her power - shows she's taking power, gun is symbolism of her power - she's never used her power before bc she's a victim - she didn't have a voice- she doesn't know how to use a gun - she's never used one before and this situation has pushed her to the edge - before she always only reached for gun when scared - power makes her feel safer

"By the light of the moon she can be seen going to the drawer and taking out the gun. And some vague articles of clothing which appear to be stockings."

"Suddenly, a shot from PAULINA's gun rings out"

"she goes to the sideboard, takes out a gun"

isolated beach house - hidden, in hiding

housy

moon - femininity, luna - lunatic, feminine cycle, shows she's about do to something crazy ,

"By the light of the moon she can be seen going to the drawer and taking out the gun. And some vague articles of clothing which appear to be stockings."

light - whenever gerardo walks in room he turns on light - he represents new order & justice, Paulina represents trauma so she runs away from the light

"The sound of a faraway car can be heard. She hurriedly stands up, goes to the other room, looks out the window. The car brakes, its motor still running, the lights blasting her."

Paulina - subversive (subtly dangerous) - suspense & anticipation - setting, foreshadowing

"Paulina edges out onto the terrace from where she will be able to hear the men but not see or be seen by them

Roberto - misogynistic & creepy, make reader uneasy - this man is not to be trusted - allusion to politics? (nietzsche's ideas were used by hitler to justify his actions)

"You know what Nietzsche once wrote?" "unpredictable female soul" "we can never entirely possess the female soul" -