Federico García Lorca: La casa de Bernarda Alba & Its Context

Federico García Lorca and "La casa de Bernarda Alba"

This fragment delves into Federico García Lorca's play La casa de Bernarda Alba. Lorca, a renowned poet, playwright, and prose writer, was a prominent figure of the Generation of '27. The play was written in 1936, shortly before his tragic execution. While the specific act (I, II, or III) of the chosen fragment is not detailed here, the play itself offers a profound exploration of its themes.

Lorca's Theatrical Characteristics

Lorca's theater stands as one of the most significant contributions to 20th-century Spanish drama. It is characterized by:

• Poetic Drama: His plays often revolve around powerful symbols.
• Episodic Structure: The plot frequently unfolds through distinct scenes or "prints."
• Popular Character: A strong rural atmosphere defines many of his works.
• Classical Influence: The impact of classical Spanish playwrights like Tirso de Molina and Lope de Vega is evident.

Federico García Lorca's Literary Production

Lorca's extensive literary output can be broadly categorized into four groups:

• Farces (1921-1928):
  • The Public
  • The Shoemaker's Prodigious Wife
• Tragedies:
  • Blood Wedding (1933)
  • Yerma (1934)
• Drama:
  • The House of Bernarda Alba (1936)

Literary, Social, Cultural, and Artistic Context

Federico García Lorca was a central figure in the literary movement known as the Generation of '27.

Key Features of the Generation of '27

The authors of the Generation of '27 shared several defining characteristics:

• Unifying Event: Their emergence was marked by the tercentenary of Góngora's death.
• Shared Intellectual Formation: They possessed a similar educational and intellectual background.
• Diverse Styles: There was no single unifying style; instead, they skillfully balanced opposites in their work.

Spain's Socio-Cultural Landscape in Lorca's Era

Lorca, particularly in The House of Bernarda Alba, powerfully critiques the socio-cultural situation of his time. Spain during the Civil War (1936-1939) was profoundly influenced by:

• Social Appearances: An obsession with image and societal expectations.
• Restrictive Morality: A deeply ingrained moral code that often disadvantaged women.
• Poverty and Ignorance: Widespread suffering due to economic hardship and lack of education.

Furthermore, Lorca's birthplace in southern Granada, a region rich in Moorish heritage, folklore, and rugged geography, significantly shaped his artistic vision and is evident in his works.

Lorca's Spain, shaped by the Generation of '27, also inherited a rich cultural and artistic legacy from the preceding Generation of '98.