by marksman. » 22 Dec 2011
Thinking about it, the abuser was just a Spanish teacher. For most of the first dream we do not hear Camilla speak Spanish, or even speak English with a Spanish accent. This is because the long early part of this dream is Diane's fantasy, in which she idealizes herself, and Camilla (as Rita). Spanish lessons would be seen, by Diane, as part of the abuse, or situations in which the abuse would have taken place. Rita's posture (of a pianist) and her hand placings and movements could indicate Diane's attempt to modify the truth: So that her Spanish tutor/abuser becomes the vulnerable, attractive Rita, the Piano teacher.
However, she cannot maintain the illusion in her dream, and this starts to fall apart when Rita starts saying "silencio" in her sleep. The Club Silencio is a further revelation: The music is just an illusion. It is a twilight place (half night) in which things happen behind curtains.
Instead of the sound of musical instruments, she hears a woman singing in Spanish without (I think, but I'll have to check) any musical backing. (This could mean that there never was any music; no piano lessons, just the terror of being abused by the Spanish teacher.)
Now when Diane tries to form a relationship with the Lamp Lady, who she tries to turn into a fantasy version of Camilla, we see the piano ashtray. This is symbolic of Diane's attempt to recreate her abused past in a more positive light. But when this fantasy doesn't work, we again hear Camilla speaking with a Spanish accent. I really need to look at that ashtray scene, because I know that I have missed something significant.