The Maidens

Her first morning back, Mariana has breakfast with Zoe and Clarissa, with whom she shares her idea of a group therapy session with the Maidens. Zoe does not want to come and does not believe the Maidens will either. Mariana sees Edward and approaches him to ask for his cooperation. He agrees to convince the Maidens to participate provided he can attend. Mariana reluctantly agrees.

Mariana sets out nine chairs for the session, including two for the missing murder victims. Edward is late, and Mariana begins the session without him. The women are openly hostile, blocking Mariana’s attempts to compare Edward to a father-figure they are trying to please and accusing her of trying to trick them into incriminating him. Mariana privately notes that only Zoe has shown any emotion in response to Veronica and Tara’s deaths. Edward arrives.

To gauge his reaction, Mariana asks Edward if he teaches Iphigenia at Aulis. When he replies affirmatively, Mariana remarks on Iphigenia’s passivity and submission. One of the Maidens replies that Iphigenia’s “heroic death” is how “she achieves her tragic stature” (281). Mariana counters that she believes Iphigenia was in an abusive relationship with her father, allowing him to bully and sacrifice her to please him.