In the following excerpt from a fictional play, a character named Evelyn delivers a monologue reflecting on her past relationships and the mistakes she has made. The dialogue reveals her inner turmoil and desire for redemption. Consider how the playwright uses this monologue to develop themes of regret and personal growth.
Evelyn: “I thought love was a game I could outsmart, a puzzle to be solved. But in my arrogance, I lost pieces of myself, pieces I could never reclaim. Each heart I toyed with left a mark, scars I sometimes forget but never heal. Now, as I stand here at the crossroads of what could have been, I ponder: Is it too late to start anew? To find the strength to forgive myself?”
Which of the following best captures the significance of Evelyn's monologue in relation to the themes of the play?