Yerma Characters, Themes, and Literary Devices by Lorca

Yerma: Character Analysis

Secondary Characters

• Juan

  Yerma's husband. He is a strong man with few fixed ideas, dedicating most of his life to working in the fields. Unlike his wife, Juan does not want children. He desires a peaceful, quiet life and wants Yerma to always be at home, performing domestic duties while he works. He often makes disparaging comments about his wife.

• María

  A young friend of Yerma. She is a mother, which causes Yerma much sorrow as she longs for a child. They often discuss their relationships with their husbands. Initially, María was scared of having a son, but Yerma's support helped her overcome this fear.

• Víctor

  A friend of Juan. He is a cheerful man who always tries to encourage Yerma. On one occasion, Yerma collapsed into his arms.

• Vieja (Old Woman)

  A wise lady who knows much about life. Yerma consults her, asking for a remedy for her childlessness. The Vieja tells her she is "suffering a drought of childlessness" due to her husband, Juan, as fatherhood requires two. At the end of the play, the Vieja Pagana (Pagan Old Woman) tells Yerma to go live with her son, implying he can help her have children.

• Yerma's Sisters-in-Law

  They appear in all acts but surprisingly say nothing, except for the second sister, who utters "is here" once in the entire play. They live in Juan and Yerma's house and act as caregivers for Yerma.

Occasional Characters

• The Six Washerwomen

  They appear in the first scene of the second act, by the village stream. The fourth, fifth, and sixth washerwomen criticize Yerma, while the first defends her, and the second and third remain indifferent.

• Dolores

  She appears in the first scene of the third act, at home. She is a "spellcaster" or folk healer. Yerma seeks her help to have a son.

• The Girls

  They appear in the second scene of the first act, in the field. They talk with Yerma about not being able to leave children home alone and discuss whether it is better to be childless or to have children. The second girl also appears in the second scene of the second act to warn Yerma that her mother (Dolores) is at home.

• Women

  They appear in the final scene, near a hermitage, bringing an offering to the shrine.

• The Men

  They appear in the final scene, at the pilgrimage feast, where songs are sung.

• Female and Male Pilgrims

  They appear in the final scene, at the pilgrimage feast, singing and dancing the Dance of Fertility.

• Children

  They appear in the final scene, at the pilgrimage feast, where songs are sung.

Themes and Symbols in Lorca's Yerma

As defined by Federico García Lorca himself, Yerma is "the image of fertility punished by sterility." This theme is central to the dramatic, universal interplay in which Lorca's characters move: the opposition between the forces of life, with their destiny of freedom, and the oppression that turns these forces even towards death.

The play contains a set of imaginary questions and answers, such as:

Where does love come from, my child?

Songs (Cantos)

The play features several significant songs, including the Shepherd's Song, the Washerwomen's Song, and the Song of the Male and Female (Fertility Dance). Three of these songs mark the beginning of an act or scene:

• Yerma sings a song about the child she desires early in the first act.
• The Washerwomen's Song appears at the beginning of the second act.
• The Pilgrimage Chorus is heard at the beginning and end of the final act.

Literary Devices in Yerma

• Symbolism: Water and Blood are prominent symbols.
• Personification: Examples include "The children come like water," "angry coral branches," and "What punishment, meadow."
• Repetition: An example is "Oh, that meadow is worth it!"