Penelope, Amalia, and Irene: Antonio Buero Vallejo's female protagonists and their created worlds

Antonio Buero Vallejo is well-known for his modern Spanish tragedies. In La tejedora de suenos, Madrugada, and Irene o el tesoro, he presents three female protagonists, Penelope, Amalia, and Irene, who must struggle to overcome the boundaries placed on them by their assigned roles in society. Different from his male protagonists who resolve their problems within their normal environment, Buero Vallejo recognizes the inherent creativity of these women, who, in spite of their difficult circumstances and tragic flaws, find a solution to their challenging situations through the creation of alternate realities.