Generation 27′ and Garcia Lorca

-idolized Gongora-300th anniversary of his death

-group of poets who advocated avant-gaurdism in Literature-going back to what they consider "real" poetry-forcused on form, sentences, beauty, etc

-born in Granada-beautiful, sad poetry-homosexual (unaccepted at time)-middle/high class-fragile health-lousy student

-executed by Franco's firing squad-anonymously accused of being against regime-refused exile offered by Colombia, Mexico-guards said he would be returned unharmed-body cant be found

moonwaterbloodhorseherbs metal

death, but sometimes erotic or beauty

running --> vitalitystagnant --> death

death

deathmale lifeeroticism

death

death

-Death of second Husband-Bernarda imposes 8 years of mourning (must wear blac, cant leave house, no enjoyment) & very strict with daughters-Eldest inherits father's fortune, Attracts suitor (pepe el romano)-passion & jealousy ensues between daughter-Adela, youngest, does not want to submit to mothers will, secretly maintains sexual relationship-jealous Martirio discovers secret, immediately tells Bernarda-Bernarda confronts Adela-Adela breaks Mothers cane-Bernarda pretends to shoot Pepe-Adela hangs herself thinking that he is dead

Bernarda AlbaAngustiasMagdelenaAmeliaMartirioAdelaPonciaMaría JosefaPepe el Romano

mother & widorepresents everything negative in the play-dictator of the house, reinforced by image of her cane

-gets married b/c of $$-she knows this, but does not care-only wants to leave her mothers house and power-however, at 39, already worn down by her mother and has no hope for happiness

-two most submissive-willingly accept the power of mother

-most complex person-mother thwarted her wedding-jealous of Adela

-youngest-never gives into mothers tyranny-finds happiness in world of bitterness-challenges moral standards, even though it leads to her tragic ending

-the maid-manages to give Bernarda advice, when Bernarda is not bringing up social differences

-crazy mother of Bernarda-locked up-comic relief of play-her words are crazy, but TRUE-expresses what daughters dont dare to: desire for freedom, love, and motherhood

-doesnt appear in play-his actions create most of drama in play

tragic destinyoppression of womenconservative societyclassismappearanceauthoritarianism

adela rebels against the tyranny of her mother and pays with her life

lorca feels compassion for the less fortunate and identifies them

obsession with virginity, religion, observance of class, etc

shows disrespect and ignorance associated with classism --> Bernarda's treatment of everyone who enters house, especially daughters and maid

"the idea that appearance is all that really matters"bernarda obsessed with how family appears to outside worldshe is NOT actually concerned with their action

the cruel and irrational treatment of Bernarda's household

waterblack and whitegreenthe cane

reference to sexual desire-Adela rushes to meet lover, spotted by Poncia, explains by saying she is thirsty and needs drink-horse kicks when thirsty-town doesnt have rivers, only wells

symbol of death since they often contain poisons, while river seen as pure

-black represents everything bad (death, oppression, everything closed in)-white represents good (truth, life, freedom)-black is associated with bernarda and all daughters except adela-white is mainly shown through Maria Josefa who is dressed in a wedding gown

symbol of vibrancy and sexuality-mainly through Adela's green suit

symbolizes the power and soveriegnty of Bernarda over Adela

1. martyr2. anguish3. bear (animal)

sexual frustration, desires

release from sexual frustration, desires

freedom from society, sex appeal

no freedom, prison

freedom, enjoyment

stereotypical gender roles

rural village, Southern Spaininside house --> secretsoutside house --> truth

1.

like dictator2. condescending, controlling, superior no contact with outside world

bitterresentfulrespect and fear

house = controloutside = freedom