A Deep Dive into Federico García Lorca’s ‘The House of Bernarda Alba’
Main Themes of The House of Bernarda Alba
Death
Bernarda’s husband’s death and the funeral held at home significantly impact her daughters.
Character of Bernarda
Bernarda possesses an authoritarian character, keeping her daughters locked up at home. This is highlighted when a beggar woman visits, seeking leftovers. Bernarda, driven by greed, orders her servants to give her nothing.
Inheritance
Angustias, the eldest sister, stands to inherit the most, sparking jealousy among her sisters.
Adela’s Discomfort and Concern
Adela grapples with guilt over her secret affair with Pepe. Her discomfort is compounded by the early signs of pregnancy and the constant fear of discovery.
Martyrio’s Secret Love
Martyrio harbors unrequited love for Pepe, a secret only she knows, although Poncia grows suspicious after discovering Pepe’s portrait in Martirio’s possession.
Angustias’s Engagement to Pepe
The family discusses Angustias’s impending marriage to Pepe, including the ring, furniture, and Bernarda’s advice on handling him.
The Shared Love for Pepe
The play reveals the depth of both Martirio and Adela’s love for Pepe, culminating in a confrontation where Adela begs Martirio to end her involvement with him.
Character Analysis
Bernarda
At 60, Bernarda, the mother of the play’s daughters, embodies authority and control.
Maria Josefa
Bernarda’s 80-year-old mother, Maria Josefa, represents oppression and the consequences of societal constraints.
Angustias
The eldest daughter at 39, Angustias, engaged to Pepe, symbolizes both the fortune and misfortune associated with inheritance.
Magdalena
Magdalena, 30 years old, embodies resignation and acceptance of her fate.
Amelia
Amelia, 27, represents the peacemaker, avoiding conflict within the family.
Martirio
Driven by envy and resentment, 24-year-old Martirio symbolizes the destructive nature of jealousy.
Adela
The youngest at 20, Adela embodies innocence and the pursuit of love and freedom.
La Poncia
As Bernarda’s 60-year-old maid, La Poncia represents honesty and acts as a counterpoint to hypocrisy.
Maid
The other maid, aged 50, symbolizes the potential for cruelty and malicious actions.
Pepe el Romano
The object of desire for several of Bernarda’s daughters, 25-year-old Pepe remains an elusive figure.
Main Plot Summary
Act 1
The play opens in the stifling silence of Bernarda’s house following her husband’s funeral. The act introduces the oppressive atmosphere and the simmering tensions among the sisters, fueled by their father’s legacy and the arrival of Pepe el Romano.
Act 2
The focus shifts to Adela’s increasingly erratic behavior, hinting at her secret relationship with Pepe. The discovery of Pepe’s portrait in Martirio’s possession heightens the tension. The act concludes with the news of a local girl’s infanticide, foreshadowing the tragic consequences of societal constraints.
Act 3
The final act sees the tensions reach a boiling point. Adela’s affair with Pepe is exposed, leading to a confrontation with Bernarda. In a moment of desperation, Bernarda fires a gun, supposedly killing Pepe. Adela, believing her lover dead, takes her own life. The play ends with Bernarda’s chilling insistence on maintaining appearances, highlighting the suffocating nature of societal expectations.
Author: Federico García Lorca
Federico García Lorca (1898-1936), a prominent Spanish poet and playwright, is considered one of the most celebrated literary figures of the 20th century. His assassination during the Spanish Civil War cemented his status as a victim of the Franco regime, further amplifying the reach of his work.
Lorca’s writing is characterized by its lyrical beauty, evocative imagery, and exploration of universal themes such as love, death, and social injustice. His ability to capture the essence of human emotion and the complexities of Spanish society continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.
Socio-Historical Context
Set in 1936, a time of political turmoil in Spain, The House of Bernarda Alba offers a powerful commentary on the oppressive social norms and the consequences of unchecked authority. The play’s themes of repression, desire, and the struggle for freedom transcend its specific historical context, making it a timeless masterpiece of world literature.
The play’s setting, a stifling household ruled by the iron fist of Bernarda, serves as a microcosm of the larger societal constraints faced by individuals, particularly women, during that era. Lorca masterfully uses symbolism and allegory to expose the hypocrisy and destructive nature of a society that prioritizes appearances over individual freedom and happiness.