Death and the Maiden

Violence bubbles underneath the surface of every moment in Death and the Maiden even though the characters themselves barely attack each other physically. Instead, Paulina, Gerardo, and Roberto make reference to, imply, or threaten each other with violence

The image of Roberto tied to the chair, which persists throughout most of the play, is a visual reminder of Paulina's kidnapping as well as the abduction, torture, and violence committed against the thousands of others who suffered during the previous regime. As Paulina begins to hint at the details of her torture, the image of Roberto tied to the chair becomes weighted with these greater implications. Throughout the play, Paulina occasionally teases the tied Roberto, whispering to him some of the taunts that he allegedly whispered to her while he held her captive, which further elucidates the details of what happened to her without actually showing it.