Death and the Maiden Lesson Plan

Explain Paulina’s claim, “it’s been years since I murmured even a word, I haven’t opened my mouth to even whisper a breath of what I’m thinking.” What does she really mean? Why does she feel this way?

Paulina means that she has not been able to tell the people closest to her (e.g., Gerardo or her mother) what really happened to her when she was captured and how much it affected her. She either did not want to worry them or make them upset, or did not feel comfortable telling them things they likely would not understand. As a result, she kept much of her suffering to herself and only now, with Roberto, is able to finally open up about her experiences.

What is the...