Federico García Lorca's Rural Tragedies and The House of Bernarda Alba

Federico García Lorca: A Literary Giant

Lorca is undoubtedly the best representative of the theatrical trend of the Generation of '27, and one of the leading playwrights in the history of Spanish literature. If one had to choose a single author from the first half of the twentieth century, it would be Lorca. His works are still performed today with the same success as in the 1930s, and studies on Lorca's plays are flourishing all over the world.

In his works, Lorca pays special attention to the female world, as well as frustrated desire and impossible love.

The Rural Tragedies: Frustration and Female Worlds

The great works of Lorca are three rural tragedies, focusing intensely on the female world. As stated above, frustration is the common thread of each of them. They focus on a rural setting marked by:

• Superstitions attached to ancient customs.
• The tasks of the earth.
• Concern for "what people think."

Key Rural Tragedies

• Bodas de sangre (Blood Wedding, 1933): Recounts impossible love driven by social causes.
• Yerma (1934): Focuses on the protagonist's frustration due to unfulfilled motherhood.
• The House of Bernarda Alba (1936): Lorca published this masterpiece shortly before his assassination.

The House of Bernarda Alba: Authority vs. Freedom

Inspired by a real event (like Blood Wedding), The House of Bernarda Alba takes up the conflict between authority, represented by the mother, Bernarda Alba, and the yearning for freedom, represented by her five daughters.

Plot Summary (Argumento)

After the death of her husband, Bernarda Alba, a wealthy peasant landowner, imposes a seven-year mourning period on her five daughters. Only the eldest, Angustias, is exempt because Pepe el Romano has asked for her hand in marriage. However, her sisters assume that Pepe does not truly love Angustias, but seeks her for her money, as she has a larger legacy resulting from a previous marriage.

Bernarda not only cloaks her daughters but subjects them to strict moral control, which includes physical and verbal abuse.

Adela, the youngest daughter, begins meeting in secret with Pepe, with whom she has a passionate affair. However, secrets are hard to keep in this house. Martirio, another daughter who also desires Pepe, and Poncia, the trusted maid, discover the affair and confront Adela. Adela maintains her intention to continue the relationship, even if it means a confrontation with her family and social disgrace.

In the end, Bernarda learns the truth and tries to shoot Pepe, but fails. Bernarda then tells Adela that her lover has died. Adela, desperate, locks herself in and commits suicide. Bernarda immediately imposes silence and mourning once more, claiming Adela's virginity is intact to preserve the family honor.