Death and the Maiden Ariel Dorfman

Roberto, Paulina and Gerardo as Symbols and Concepts In Death and the Maiden by Ariel Dorfman each of the three characters is extended to serve as a an allegorical concept that Dorfman uses to comment on the relation of past, present and truth in Chile and anywhere that a grave injustice that has occurred in the past still affects the present. The communication and interaction of these characters relates Dorfman’s views about healing past …

…open. The audience is never certain if she kills Roberto or not, or even if he was in fact guilty. These questions are left open to strengthen Dorfman’s allegorical message, by showing that Truth has not been found, the past is not buried, because of the shadowy character or Roberto. Through this Dorfman relates that Chile is not healed yet, because the archetype of Roberto exists in Chile and will for years to come.