Death and the Maiden: character analysis

First, I want to talk about some thoughts I had. (1) Did Gerrldo really tell Roberto the true details that Paulina claimed she told in lies? Is she crazy and told the whole truth to Gerardo but thinks she didn't? or Did Roberto really change it so it was true? (2) I'm wondering if Gerardo was really in on it and he already knew Roberto from before. And maybe the whole thing was a test to see if Paulina would give up his name under pressure? But given the author's theme he was creating, it doesn't seem likely and the author does not hint on this enough but it would be an interesting twist. (3) I like Paulina's character. It's dramatic and crazy and a little creepy (especially when she turns to look at Roberto at the end when she hadn't seen him before).

Here's my analysis:

Before reading the afterward, I was thinking about the focus the author was placing on each character. There are only three characters that are seen in the play, and Ariel explains in the afterward taht it took him years to create all three characters. These characters would represent each part of the society in Chile when it is becoming a democracy. Paulina is the part of society consisting of the people who have found the chance or opportunity to get revenge for what was done to them. When Chile decided to become a democracy, people were thinking that they would get justice or revenge like Paulina thinks. Roberto represents just someone who revenge is taken out on, caused by the people who take advantage of the country's attempt to have more justice. Then Gerardo is the outside party who wants who is trying to make the situation obey the justice that the state wants to create.

I think the author did not tell the audience right out if Roberto was guilty or not because he is saying that people like Paulina will accuse them anyway if Robertos remind the Paulinas in any way of their attackers. And because of the democracy, the Paulinas will believe they should take revenge and they will take revenge just to have the matter resolved within them.

Website: It describes the character conflicts and roles.

http://movies.msn.com/movies/movie-synopsis/death-and-the-maiden/