The dialogue, often fragmented and overlapping, reflects the struggle for narrative control. Una and Ray are fighting over who owns the story of their relationship. Ray attempts to minimize the events, viewing them through the lens of his legal punishment and subsequent rehabilitation. Una, however, forces him to confront the human connection that existed, however twisted. The tragedy of the play lies in the realization that both memories may be true: Ray may have genuinely cared for her within his pathology, while Una was fundamentally victimized by his actions, regardless of her feelings.
The play's structure is predominantly a conversation between the two characters, which creates an intense and claustrophobic atmosphere. Harrower's use of naturalistic dialogue and everyday setting contrasts with the disturbing themes and emotions explored in the play. blackbird david harrower pdf