Summary of the Play

**First Act**

The plot begins in the living room of Ismael and Virgínia's home, where the couple is dealing with the premature death of their third child. Elias, Ismael's foster brother, a handsome blind white man, arrives bearing a message from his mother, claiming that Ismael has been cursed for being a bad son. Tension escalates when Virgínia refuses to see the body of her child and argues with Ismael, who wants her to get pregnant again. She feels trapped in her room while Ismael locks her away and controls the situation.

When the body is taken for burial, Virgínia begs to be let out, and upon discovering that Elias is in the house, she manages to free herself. Elias and Virgínia share their stories, revealing Virgínia's troubled past, where she was raped by Ismael at the behest of her aunt, following her cousin's death, in a cycle of betrayal and violence that imprisoned her in an unhappy marriage.

**Second Act**

Virgínia and Elias develop feelings for each other and plan to run away together. However, fearing to be caught, Virgínia expels Elias, leading to an argument. Virgínia's aunt arrives, and upon seeing Elias, forces her to confess her infidelity. When Ismael arrives, he accuses Virgínia of having killed his children, and she confesses to her crimes, leading to an explosion of rage and tension between the couple.

The aunt reveals to Ismael that Virgínia's next child will be Elias's, which incites further conflict. In a fit of rage, Ismael decides to kill Virgínia and Elias's white child. When Virgínia goes to fetch Elias to protect him, Ismael shoots him. The aunt and her daughters, believing Virgínia is dead, celebrate in the living room.

**Third Act**

Sixteen years later, Ana Maria, Virgínia's white daughter, has turned 15. Virgínia reveals that Ismael blinded Ana Maria with acid and prepares to tell her the truth about her past. Virgínia's aunt returns home with the body of her last daughter, disclosing that she was raped and murdered, and threatens Virgínia with the possibility that Ana Maria will also die a virgin.

Ismael allows Virgínia to spend three nights alone with Ana Maria, permitting her to tell the truth about her origins, including Ismael's race. During these nights, Virgínia tries to convince Ana Maria to escape with her, but the young girl reveals that she loves Ismael and is in a relationship with him, leaving Virgínia devastated.

After an intense discussion, Ana Maria expels Virgínia from the room. Virgínia confronts Ismael, who confesses his love for Ana Maria and decides that he will spend the rest of his life with her. Virgínia argues that Ana Maria would never love him if she could see his face, and therefore only Virgínia could truly love him. Ismael becomes convinced that Ana Maria is in love with a white man who only exists in the stories he tells her and decides to kill her. He goes to get the young girl, claiming they are going for a walk, and then he and Virgínia lock her in a glass mausoleum in their home. The couple retreats to the bedroom to consummate their love while Ana Maria slowly dies.

Themes and Analysis

The play addresses deep issues of racism, patriarchy, betrayal, and the struggle for freedom. The cycle of familial violence, the role of women in society, and the devastating effects of hatred and oppression are explored through the characters' stories. The dynamics between Virgínia, Ismael, and Elias reveal the complexities of human relationships in a social and historical context marked by discrimination and inequality.