Fornes Blog

The ordinary plot line with its exposition, climax, and descending action are not employed in Fornes’s Conduct of Life. Instead, she chooses to leave out key details and leave the audience to speculate over her intentions. 

One of the most thought provoking scenes was the last scene, where her husband accuses Leticia of having an affair. Despite the fact that he is a torturer, and also not being faithful, this question comes way out of left field. Fornes does not provide extensive information on Leticia’s background. This is why it was hard for me to understand the rational behind her refusal to acknowledge what was happening in her very own basement. 

I think that it is titled the way it is because people may try to stick to a specific "conduct of life," by maintaining the status quo. However, things occur that can change people and how they behave. Leticia does have one moment where she calls her friend Mona and mentions the fact that her husband seems “different.” She blames is on his work atmosphere and then proceeds onto a trivial subject. This brief acknowledgement shows that Leticia is aware that something is not right, but doesn’t know how to change it or express herself. Her loyalty to Orlando seems so great for not spilling his terrible secrets, so the accusation at the end of Leticia having an affair seems irrational. This may be because Orlando forced her to admit her infidelity in the same way he tortured Nena.