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The House of Bernarda Alba: A Tragedy of Repression and Resistance in Rural Spain

Gabriel Garcia Marquez

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****
Federico García Lorca's "The House of Bernarda Alba" is a powerful and moving play that explores the themes of repression, resistance, and the struggle for individuality in rural Spain. Set in rural Andalusia at the beginning of the 20th century, the play follows the lives of Bernarda Alba, a tyrannical widow, and her five daughters. Bernarda's strict rules and rigid morality stifle her daughters' spirits, leading to tragedy and heartbreak.

**Characters**
**Bernarda Alba:** A wealthy widow who rules her household with an iron fist. She is a strict and domineering woman who believes that women should be subservient to men.
**Angustias:** Bernarda's eldest daughter, who is engaged to Pepe el Romano. She is a quiet and obedient girl who longs for freedom.
**Magdalena:** Bernarda's second daughter, who is rebellious and outspoken. She chafes under Bernarda's rules and dreams of escaping the house.
**Amelia:** Bernarda's third daughter, who is gentle and shy. She is deeply affected by her mother's cruelty.
**Martirio:** Bernarda's fourth daughter, who is bitter and resentful. She is jealous of her sisters' beauty and freedom.
**Adela:** Bernarda's youngest daughter, who is innocent and naive. She is the only one who truly loves her mother.
**Pepe el Romano:** A young man who is engaged to Angustias. He is handsome and charming, but also arrogant and selfish.

The House of Bernarda Alba

by Shatahia Stewart

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	783 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	106 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

**Plot**
The play opens with the funeral of Bernarda Alba's husband. Bernarda immediately imposes a strict mourning period on her household, forbidding her daughters from leaving the house or speaking to any men. The daughters are stifled by their mother's rules and long for freedom.
One day, Pepe el Romano comes to the house to visit Angustias. He and Adela fall in love at first sight. Bernarda forbids them from seeing each other, but Adela defies her mother and runs away with Pepe. Bernarda is furious and vows to kill her daughter.
The other daughters are torn between their desire for freedom and their fear of their mother. Magdalena and Martirio plot to escape, but they are caught by Bernarda. Amelia is so distraught by her mother's cruelty that she goes mad.
In the end, Adela is killed by Bernarda. The play ends with Bernarda's daughters mourning their sister's death and vowing to never let their mother control their lives again.

**Themes**
"The House of Bernarda Alba" explores a number of important themes, including:
**Repression:** Bernarda's strict rules and rigid morality stifle her daughters' spirits. She forbids them from leaving the house, speaking to men, or expressing their individuality. This repression leads to tragedy and heartbreak.
**Resistance:** Despite Bernarda's attempts to control her daughters, they find ways to resist her authority. Magdalena and Martirio plot to escape, and Adela defies her mother and runs away with Pepe el Romano. These acts of resistance show that even in the most oppressive situations, people can find ways to fight for their freedom.
**The struggle for individuality:** Bernarda's daughters are all unique individuals with their own dreams and desires. However, Bernarda's rules and expectations make it impossible for them to express their true selves. The play shows the importance of individuality and the need to fight for the right to be oneself.

****
"The House of Bernarda Alba" is a powerful and moving play that explores the themes of repression, resistance, and the struggle for individuality. Set in rural Spain at the beginning of the 20th century, the play follows the lives of Bernarda Alba, a tyrannical widow, and her five daughters. Bernarda's strict rules and rigid morality stifle her daughters' spirits, leading to tragedy and heartbreak. However, the play also shows that even in the most oppressive situations, people can find ways to resist and fight for their freedom.

**Suggested Reading**
* LitCharts: The House of Bernarda Alba
* GradeSaver: The House of Bernarda Alba
* SparkNotes: The House of Bernarda Alba

**Keywords**
* The House of Bernarda Alba
* Federico García Lorca
* Rural Spain
* Repression
* Resistance
* Individuality

The House of Bernarda Alba

by Shatahia Stewart

4.5 out of 5