Thematic Analysis of Lorca's Masterpiece

Issues

Main Theme: Confrontation

The central conflict is the confrontation between moral authoritarianism, rigidly represented by Bernarda, and the desire for freedom and rebellion, embodied by her daughter Adela.

Sub-topics

• Sensual love and the search for a man, contrasted with the absence of this desire and the fear of remaining unmarried (being solteras).
• Hypocrisy and the fear of social judgment (obsession with white to represent purity and impeccability).
• Hate and envy: Martirio hates Adela at the end of the work. Adela hates Bernarda. Poncia, the servant, hates her mistress.
• Social injustice, class differences, and the marginalization of women in different social strata.
• The theme of the battered woman.
• Virginity.

Theatrical Conception

Lorca's Theater Features

First Feature: Total Spectacle

Lorca desired the theater to be a total spectacle, a mixture of poetry and realism. In this aspect, the theater must connect with the common people.

Second Feature: Reality and Change

The theater should teach that what is seen is not absolute; reality can be changed. The reality sought is that which inspires rebellion.

Third Feature: Aimed at Women

This work is aimed at women; they are the protagonists in these anti-oppression works.

Symbolism

The play features realism, themes of mourning, desire (the stallion), envy, and confrontation between the sisters.

• White: Symbolizes death and hatred.
• Green: Symbolizes vitality and eroticism.
• Hens: Symbolize liberalization.
• Horse: Symbolizes eroticism and poverty.
• Water Dog: Represents a people without a river, a people without life, and gossip.
• The Sea: Reflects absolute rebelliousness.
• Olive Green: Symbolizes eroticism.
• The Field (El campo): Where everything is perfect, ideal, happy, and free.
• Bernarda's Cane: Symbolizes authority. At the end of the work, Adela breaks the cane to reveal her defiance.

Characters

• Bernarda: Represents the strength of a bear; her name has a German origin.
• Adela: Her name suggests authenticity; it is a German name.
• Poncia: Similar to Pilate's Pontius, she does not interfere directly but has her hands in everything.
• Angustias: Her name suggests sadness and bitterness. She will marry knowing she is not loved, only wanting his money.
• Martirio: Martyred because Bernarda would not let her marry whom she wanted.
• Amelia: As her name suggests, she lacks vitality or 'honey' (miel).
• Prudencia: The wise neighbor who maintains composure in the world but may yet fail.
• Pepe el Romano: He is a man who represents both his name and the idea of being handsome (romano). He is a womanizer and a catalyst; he uses all the women.