The Ocean/The Beach

The ocean and the beach are recurrent themes throughout the play that symbolize a place of freedom, escape, and inspiration. This metaphor is introduced by Miss Commonwealth, who tells the story of a girl who dared set foot on the beach only to have her eyes plucked out by two diving birds. Before she was blinded, she saw the ocean with its thousands of waves and infinite horizon. Though blind, she is happy because she experienced the ocean.

Senorita 3 tells the story of her sister who, deflowered by the town Lothario, sets herself on fire, runs through the town screaming, and throws herself into the sea. The sea was a place where Senorita 3 and her sister played as young children.

Daughter 1 asks her mother if she can go out and play. She wants to climb a tree to peer off into the distance and...