Literary Analysis: Bernarda Alba and The Boxer Paco

The House of Bernarda Alba: Plot and Characters

Detailed Plot Summary

The book begins in Bernarda's house immediately following the funeral of her husband. Bernarda, a strict matriarch, orders her five daughters into a period of severe mourning and confinement, forbidding them to leave the house or mourn excessively.

The eldest daughter, Angustias, is engaged to Pepe el Romano. Pepe visits Angustias nightly, speaking to her through the window to maintain propriety and distance. However, the younger sisters, Adela and Martirio, observe these visits. Martirio is secretly in love with Pepe, while Adela is engaged in a passionate, clandestine affair with him.

This secret relationship causes intense conflict and distress among the sisters, leading to several arguments and increasing Bernarda's anger. The tension culminates when Bernarda discovers the affair. She shoots her gun at Pepe el Romano as he flees the house, but she misses him.

Believing Pepe to be dead, Adela commits suicide by hanging herself. The book ends with Bernarda ordering her daughters to remain silent and forbidding them to weep for their deceased sister, insisting that Adela died a virgin to protect the family honor.

Key Characters in Bernarda Alba

• Bernarda: A woman of 60 who has five daughters. The book begins with the death of her husband.
• María Josefa: Bernarda's mother, 80 years old. She appears infrequently and is often described as mentally unstable.
• Angustias: The eldest daughter, 39 years old, and engaged to Pepe el Romano.
• Magdalena: The second daughter, 30 years old.
• Amelia: The third daughter, 27 years old.
• Martirio: The fourth daughter, 24 years old. She secretly desires Pepe el Romano.
• Adela: The fifth and youngest daughter, 20 years old. She is the one Pepe truly desires and with whom he has an affair.
• La Poncia: One of Bernarda's maids, age 60.
• The Nurse (Criada): A companion to La Poncia, age 50.
• Prudencia: A lady of 50 years, a neighbor or acquaintance.

The Boxer Paco: Story and Cast

Central Theme

The story centers on a boxer who is determined to reach the pinnacle of the sport.

Character Descriptions

• Paco: The protagonist, the boxer striving to reach the highest summit of boxing.
• Paco's Sister: The protagonist's sister, described within the narrative as the ugliest person you can be.
• The Teacher: The boxing instructor at the gym where Paco trains. He is described as old and bitter.
• The Head of the Workshop: Described as an important man, very sure of himself.
• The Mother: The protagonist's mother, described as old and almost dry.
• The Father: The protagonist's father, described as a proud father of his son's achievements.