What is memory? Memory is the process of the brain by which it stores past experiences or information and then helps to remember those experiences or information later. There are three central processes of memory encoding, storage, and retrieval. Coding is the recording of information received by the brain. A record of this information is then kept in the brain through the storage process. Finally, through the process of retrieval, this stored memory is then recalled by the brain and this is when an individual remembers something. In Ariel Dorfman's 1990 play Death and the Maiden, memory is the central theme upon which the rest of the play develops. The play takes place just after the fall of the regime of General Augusto José Ramón Pinochet Ugarte in Chile on March 11, 1990. Under Pinochet's regime, Chile experienced the worst horrors at the hands of the men in power. Citizens had no rights and public beatings and forced sex were commonplace. One of the victims of this sexual encounter was Paulina Escobar, who was repeatedly raped by Dr. Roberto Miranda while in captivity. What made these sexual encounters even more horrifying was the fact that he always blindfolded her when he sexually violated Paulina. He also played the composition “Death and the Maiden” by the renewed Austrian composer Franz Peter Schubert whenever he performed on her. The memory of being sexually exploited is something that is permanently etched in Paulina Escobar's mind. And this memory serves as the foundation for the entire play, as the rest of the play focuses on the effect of this memory on Paulina. Paulina seems to be suffering from a long-term mental disorder... middle of paper ...... notably in the play, we had seen how Paulina used short sentences while Gerardo was the one speaking; but since Paulina has been in possession of the weapon, her helplessness seems to have disappeared, as if she was using this weapon and pointing it at Doctor Miranda in an attempt to rid herself of her memory. Paulina uses this situation as if she is recreating it from her own memory, but changing the variables; she transforms into Doctor Miranda and Doctor Miranda takes Paulina's place in this altered version of her memory. Now, instead of Doctor Miranda, Paulina is in power. And that's just because of his possession of the gun. Therefore, we see how memory is an important factor in Death and the Maiden; the most important for Paulina. An entire character's characteristics and personality as well as the plot of the play are based on a single memory..