WIT PLAN

Thesis:
Dorfman’s manipulation of stage lighting shows Paulina’s progressive characterisation and relationship
with her surroundings, as a symbol for the traumatic and oppressive role of women in Chilean society.

 Emphasises relationships between Paulina and other characters

 Certain types of lighting, how this affects her
 Used as spotlight in place for her state of mind, clarifies/seeks truth

o Creates suspense, mystery, tension

o Represents the tension between both government and citizens – indicates conflict
o Lighting symbolises the progressive frustration as she faces her captor
o Victimises Paulina
o Serves as a symbol of power, dominance
o How she transforms from timid housewife, into a powerful role
o Per certain objects/elements to attention
o Highlight events that are of significance
o Power of fascism
95% about text, 5% contextual (do not get caught up in context)

Intro – engaging
symbolise the trauma and oppressive role of women in Chile. Polemic. Throughout the novel, he
warns of the ___ .

Ariel Dorfman, a Chilean writer, wrote a polemic drama, Death and the Maiden in the __ during the
totalitarian dictatorship of Pinochet, as his rule called for justice amongst Chilean citizens. He alluded
to the relationships between the Chilean government, and the demand for justice through the inter-play
relationships of both protagonists and objects. Dorfman passionately opposed Pinochet’s regime, in
which Chile underwent a period of international isolation and a loss of human rights. Paulina, as
symbolic of the citizens of Chile. In fact, the idea of trauma is the main idea prevalent throughout most,
if not all aspects of his novel. Dorfman manipulates stage lighting throughout Death and the
Maiden to potentially show Paulina’s progressive characterisation and relationship with her
surroundings, as a symbol for the traumatic and oppressive role of women in Chilean
society. This can be seen with reference to how lighting influences relationships between other
characters and Paulina, her responsiveness and how it shows clarity, in contrast to her jumbled state
of mind.

Dorfman manipulates stage lighting to intensify and potentially foreshadow conflicts between Paulina
and other characters. He draws on the darkness at scene, in order to emphasise conflict and the
progression of Paulina’s relationship with other characters. As the drama progresses, there is not only
more stress on the relationship between Paulina and her tormentor, Roberto, but also her and her
husband, Gerado. The internal conflict between the each of the characters about their individual sense
of justice is set out through how lighting changes throughout. The drama begins “After Midnight”, where
it is thought to be the darkest part of the night, indicating ominous and dark tones. After midnight also
implies into the early hours of a new day, as if the ‘beginning’ of something, foreshadowing the
confrontation about to occur. Already, Paulina Salas the female protagonist is shielded by an object
as “She stands behind the curtains.”, implying her timid, shy nature. However as “lights [are] sweeping
the room again”, and again, the foreshadowing of potential conflict is prevalent. Later in the play, after
some discussion with Gerado, Roberto is reluctant to put his faith at the hands of his captor’s
accomplice. As a result, ‘lights go down’ and therefore signifies and scene end that leaves the audience
questioning Gerado’s real motives his genuity. Upon hearing a strangely disturbing laugh, Paulina
stands in the ‘dim light’ of her room, implying ‘semi-darkness’ as we, the audience, are potentially
warned of conflict that is about to come.

As the drama progresses, the tension between characters further alludes back to the possible conflict
between their symbolic representations in Chile. The idea of trauma is evident through the increasing
conflict as with the presence of lighting at points of conflict. Dark lighting alludes the the possible ‘dark’
times Chile faced. As majority of the play is implied that it is ‘dimly lit’, therefore, the drama alludes to
the ongoing transition of Chile itself, recovering from its period of decline under the rule of Pinochet.
Thus this potentially foreshadows the beginning of her characterisation, and her potential to assert
dominance to those that she faces. It can also be implied that Paulina is avoiding confrontation by
seeking shelter from potential harm. Her shy, timid nature gradually drives from her captors. Lighting is
mostly prevalent at the foreshadowing of conflict that is about to happen.

As Dorfman manipulates the type of lighting, Paulina’s responsiveness gives an idea of the state of
trauma and disorientation her mind may be in. The type of lighting, perhaps acting like a potential trigger
for the protagonist Paulina, reveals both her past and the state of trauma she may be in, as her
characterisation is also revealed. The type of lighting, and its effect on Paulina, acts as a representation
of her supposed attitude and frightening nature towards her captors. During the opening scene in which
the audience is introduced to the first protagonist, Paulina as she is faced by the incoming car of her
supposed captor, Roberto.

Afterwards, Paulina is shaken from hearing the strangely-disturbing laugh of her tormentor, Roberto
Miranda, as the dim light reminds of the ‘darkness’ that is Paulina’s past, by her dimly-lit room.
manifestation of another facet of her character.

Dorfman uses lighting to put spotlight on certain objects/elements to symbolise its significance both in
the drama, and in society. Paulina’s jumbled state of mind is alluded to the urgent and desperation for
need of justice amongst Chilean citizens. Lighting is prevalent in specific points of the drama,
specifically at points of conflict, perhaps to question the audience of the real truth that lies behind
Dorfman’s motives for each interaction. Coming to terms with her past, Paulina avenges her innocence
through the aiming to put her captors in their place. Acting as a spotlight, lighting acts as one of the
tools in which Paulina is able to convey her need for justice, without dialogue. As she progresses into
a dominating character, lighting acts in accordance, revealing to the audience the possible
objects/elements relevant to her torture. This alludes back to the Chilean society, in which Chilean
citizens find ‘flaws’ in the governmental system and Pinochet’s dictatorship. The calling out of flaws, as
Dorfman comprehends, enables seeking of justice and punishment, as what Paulina aims to do. The
darkness that surrounds the tape recorder as Roberto’s confession focuses the audience’s attention on
the content of his confession. “enlightnes’ audience by drawing attention to certain objects or elements

- Spotlight acts as the state of mind Paulina aims to achieve, because her physical state has
been stunted
-
Micro analysis (what do these words mean?) -> macro analysis (writer’s choice, prupose, effect, what
it shows)
 Intro Point 1 Point 2 Point 3 Conc
Topic Dorfman’s Stage lighting Evaluation
sentence / manipulation of has the effect
thesis stage lighting on determining
shows Paulina’s the
aggressive shift relationships
in character, with between
the effect of Paulina
understanding
trauma in her
mind.
Point Link
Explanation / sentence
evidence
Analysis
Significance
- Look at
the work
as a
whole
- Broader
meaning

- Particularly questions the trauma that is faced by Chilean citizens after the Pinnochet
dictatorship

Dorfman’s manipulation of stage lighting shows paulina’s aggressive shift in character,

with the effect of understanding trauma in her mind.
PLAN

INTRO – Dorfman’s manipulation of stage lighting shows Paulina’s aggressive shift in

character, with the effect of understanding trauma in her mind.
- Written in __ Death and the Maiden emphasised the notion of trauma and its effect
from different p
- Paulina’s interaction with her surroundings, with the effect of understanding trauma
in her mind.
- As Death and the Maiden is a drama/play, lighting is a central position in determining
the both the interpretation and _
- Lighting shows to a degree of oppression characters like Paulina faces.
-

B1 - How lighting influences the relationships between Paulina and other protagonists,
increases tension and conflict.
- During points of conflict, lighting could be seen as emphasising it or contributing to
an increase in tension, in order to show the relationships between perspectives during
the Pinochet regime
- Starts off already with the mention of Paulina being blasted by the light of the car –
foreshadowing the conflict that she is about to face, the meeting of the presumed
‘doctor’, Paulina jumps to action and grabs a gun – another symbol of ‘power’
perhaps trying to feel in control of her emotions and trauma
-

B2 – Paulina’s varying and interesting responsiveness to changes in different types of

lighting.

B3 – How the movement of stage lighting symbolises Paulina’s search for truth, and
clarifying acts of those around her.

CONC