Analysis of a Spanish Play: Characters, Themes, and Literary Context
ACT ONE (1920)
Scene 1
- Generous
- Gregory
- Carmina
- Foo.o
Scene 2
- Manuel
- Elvira
Scene 3
(No characters listed)
ACT TWO (1930)
Scene 1
- Generous
- Carmina
Scene 2
- Elvira
- Fernando
- A baby
Scene 3
- Paca
- John Urban
- Trini
Scene 4
- Rosa
- Pepe
THIRD ACT
Scene 1
- Office Setting
Scene 2
- Elvira (50)
- Fernando (50)
- Fernando’s Son (20)
- Manolin (12)
Scene 3
- Paca (75)
- Urban (50)
- Carmina (50)
- Carmina’s Daughter (18)
- Trini (40)
Scene 4
- Office Setting
Story Summary
The second act commences around 1930. Notably absent is Don Gregory (husband of Miracles). Previously, Don Manuel and Asun were also missing. Elvira confronts Fernando, stating, “If I’d known you were not spoiled.” Fernando retorts, “You’ve always been a capricious woman without education.” He observes that Rosa appears thinner and pale. Pepe criticizes Rosa, suggesting her partying has gotten out of hand (implying she exploited her father’s death). “Do not get so carried away,” Pepe tells Rosa. Trini scolds Pepe for his actions while his father was ill. Urban grabs Pepe by the lapels, leading to a physical altercation. “You still defend him, you imbecile,” Rosa tells Urban. John questions Pepe, “Why don’t you take her to another house? You had to stay here and make life miserable!” Paca, referring to Pepe, remarks, “And you associate with this garbage?” Carmina expresses her sympathy for Urban, saying, “I wouldn’t want to see you endure a single day of hardship.” She reveals her decision not to marry. Center proposes to Carmina, stating, “If you accept me, I will rise.” Carmina responds to Urban, “It would bring the old man some joy in his remaining years.” Trini observes to Juan, “Did you see how Rose defended that bandit?” Mr. John entrusts Trini with some bills to deliver to Rosa. Paca notices a shift in the dynamic between Urban and Carmina, sharing her observations with Trini. Trini arrives at the house to give Rosa the money. Elvira and Fernando clash over whether to pay their respects to Carmina and Generous. Elvira, displaying a change in attitude, refuses to offer condolences. Elvira sends their children to Carmina. Urban tells Carmina, “Let them go with Nena.” The building now houses a young woman and a man unconnected to the property’s past. Manolin lights a cigarette. Rosa is overwhelmed by the situation at home. Trini desires Manolin to quit smoking. Manolin confesses his love for Trini. Fernando’s son is 20 years old. He confronts Carmina’s daughter for avoiding him in recent weeks. Carmina’s daughter explains that their relationship is impossible because their parents disapprove. Fernando’s son is upset, realizing Manolin overheard the conversation. Both Fernando’s son and Manolin threaten to reveal the truth. Fernando and Elvira had previously forbidden their son from pursuing Carmina. Fernando’s son questions, “What do I have to do with our prejudices and resentments?” Rosa laments, “I’ve wasted years waiting for someone to look at me.” Trini expresses her longing for a child, “I want a child.” Rosa reflects, “Things never happen as we wish.” Urban criticizes his son, calling him a slacker and refusing to hear his excuses. Center questions Carmina, “Why did you marry me if you didn’t love me?”
Literature
- Gabriel Celaya: Known for his social poetry.
- Dámaso Alonso: Authored “Children of Wrath“.
- Jaime Gil de Biedma: Wrote experimental poetry.
- Carmen Laforet: Penned the novel “Nada” (“Nothing”).
- Miguel Delibes: Wrote the novel “El camino” (“The Road”).
- Camilo José Cela: Authored “The Family of Pascual Duarte“.
- Miguel Hernández: Known for his work “Rayo que no cesa” (“Unceasing Lightning”).
- Camilo José Cela: Also wrote “La colmena” (“The Hive”).
- Vicente Aleixandre and Camilo José Cela: Both awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.
- Vicente Blasco Ibáñez and Camilo José Cela: Shared a common background as Galicians.
- Luis Martín-Santos: Authored “Tiempo de silencio” (“Time of Silence”).
- Rafael Sánchez Ferlosio: Wrote “El Jarama” (“The Jarama”).
- Enrique Poncela: Wrote the play “Eloísa está debajo de un almendro” (“Eloise is Under an Almond Tree”).
- Miguel Mihura: Known for his work in drama and comedy.
- Alejandro Casona: Wrote “La casa de los siete balcones” (“The House of the Seven Balconies”).
- Miguel Mihura, Enrique Poncela, and Jacinto Benavente: Influenced by absurdist humor in their theater.
- Garcilasismo: A literary movement aiming to revive classical and traditional elements in modern literature.
- “Tremendista”: A literary style characterized by its depiction of violence, crime, and brutality in the struggle for survival.
- Laura Olmo: A prominent figure in theater.
- Max Aub: Authored “El laberinto mágico” (“The Magic Labyrinth”).
- Camilo José Cela: Known for his extensive body of work.
- Miguel Delibes: Also wrote “Las ratas” (“The Rats”).
- Eugène Ionesco: A key figure in theater.
- Postwar Period: Writers like Salinas and Jiménez experienced exile.
- Francisco Rabal: The only surviving actor from his generation (born in 1906).
- Enrique Poncela: Popularized the phrase “You have the eyes of a femme fatale“.
- Laura Olmo: Also wrote “La camisa” (“The Shirt”).
- Alejandro Casona: A notable playwright.
- Rafael Sánchez Ferlosio: Authored “El Jarama“.
- Camilo José Cela and Miguel Delibes: Both were members of the Royal Spanish Academy.
- Martín Gaite: Wrote “Entre visillos” (“Behind Curtains”).
- Miguel Delibes: Often featured rural Castilian settings in his novels.
- Camilo José Cela: Explored the urban environment of Madrid in his novel “La colmena” (“The Hive”), known for its large cast of characters.
- “Tremendismo”: A literary style reflecting the adaptation to a new reality.
- Jacinto Benavente: Excelled in bourgeois theater.
- José Ángel Valente: Authored “Cantos de Nijar” (“Songs of Nijar”).
- Luis Martín-Santos: Wrote “Tiempo de silencio“.
- Absurdism: A recurring theme in certain literary works.
- Fernando Arrabal: Authored “El cementerio de automóviles” (“The Automobile Graveyard”).
- Francisco Nieva: Wrote “El combate de Opalos y Tasia” (“The Battle of Opalos and Tasia”).
- Luis Rosales: A prominent figure in poetry.
- Experimental Theater: Sought new forms of expression.
- Camilo José Cela: Known for his unconventional behavior and grumpy demeanor.
- Postwar Period: The economic crisis led to a decline in theatrical productions.
- Miguel Mihura: Known for his work in bourgeois comedy.
- Postwar Period: Literary works faced censorship.
- Miguel Hernández: Connected with various authors of the Generation of ’27 during his time in Madrid.
- Social Theater: Addressed serious societal issues.
- Postwar Period: Experimental poetry often employed classical metrics.
- Dámaso Alonso: Wrote the impactful line, “Madrid is a city of over a million corpses“.