The House of Bernarda Alba facts for kids

The House of Bernarda Alba (Spanish: La casa de Bernarda Alba) is a famous play written by the Spanish writer Federico García Lorca. It is often grouped with two other plays, Blood Wedding and Yerma, as a "rural trilogy" because they all take place in the countryside.

Garcia Lorca called this play "a drama of women in the villages of Spain." It was the last play he finished, on June 19, 1936. This was just two months before he died during the Spanish Civil War. The play was first shown to an audience on March 8, 1945, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The story happens in a house in Andalusia, Spain, during a time of mourning. Bernarda Alba, a 60-year-old mother, has complete control over her five daughters. Their names are Angustias (39), Magdalena (30), Amelia (27), Martirio (24), and Adela (20). The family's housekeeper, La Poncia, and Bernarda's elderly mother, María Josefa, also live in the house. The play looks at ideas like strict rules, strong feelings, and the pressure to fit in. It also shows how men can affect women's lives.

What the Play is About

A Family in Mourning

After her second husband dies, Bernarda Alba, a very strict mother, makes her household follow an eight-year period of mourning. This is a family tradition. Bernarda has five daughters, aged 20 to 39. She has always kept them under strict control. She has not allowed them to have any relationships with men. This long mourning period makes them feel even more alone. Because of this, a lot of tension builds up inside the house.

Angustias's Marriage Plans

After a mourning ceremony at their home, the oldest daughter, Angustias, comes in. She was not there when the guests were around. Bernarda gets angry, thinking Angustias was listening to the men talking outside. Angustias received a lot of money from Bernarda's first husband. Bernarda's second husband, however, left only small amounts to his four other daughters.

Angustias's wealth attracts a young and handsome man from the village named Pepe el Romano. Her sisters are very jealous. They think it is unfair that Angustias, who they see as plain and often sick, gets most of the money. She also gets the chance to marry and escape their very strict home.

Minerva Mena playing a role in La casa de Bernarda Alba

Adela's Secret and Sadness

The youngest sister, Adela, feels suddenly happy and excited after her father's funeral. She goes against her mother's rules and wears a green dress instead of staying in black mourning clothes. But her brief moment of joy ends when she finds out that Angustias will marry Pepe.

Poncia, Bernarda's maid, tells Adela to be patient. She suggests that Angustias might not survive having her first child. Upset, Adela threatens to run into the streets in her green dress. But her sisters manage to stop her. Suddenly, they see Pepe coming down the street. Adela stays behind while her sisters rush to get a look. A maid then hints that Adela could see him better from her bedroom window.

Bernarda's Control and Maria Josefa's Warning

Upstairs, Poncia and Bernarda talk about the daughters' money. Bernarda then sees Angustias wearing makeup. She is shocked that Angustias would go against her orders to remain in mourning. Bernarda violently scrubs the makeup off her daughter's face.

The other daughters come in, followed by Bernarda's elderly mother, Maria Josefa. Maria Josefa is usually locked away in her room. She announces that she wants to get married. She also warns Bernarda that she will make her daughters' hearts turn to dust if they are not allowed to be free. Bernarda forces her mother back into her room.

Growing Conflict and a Tragic End

It is later discovered that Adela and Pepe have been meeting in secret. Adela becomes more and more upset and unpredictable. She openly goes against her mother and argues with her sisters. Martirio, in particular, reveals that she also has strong feelings for Pepe.

The tension in the family explodes as they confront each other. This leads to Bernarda chasing Pepe with a gun. A gunshot is heard from outside the house. Martirio and Bernarda come back inside and make it seem like Pepe has been killed. Adela runs into another room.

When Adela is out of earshot, Martirio tells everyone else that Pepe actually escaped on his horse. Bernarda says that as a woman, she cannot be blamed for her bad aim. A loud noise is heard. Bernarda immediately calls for Adela, who has locked herself in a room. When Adela does not answer, Bernarda and Poncia force the door open. Poncia screams. She comes out with her hands around her neck and warns the family not to go into the room. Adela, not knowing that Pepe survived, has tragically ended her own life.

The play ends with Bernarda still caring most about her family's reputation. She forbids her daughters to cry.

How the Play Has Been Adapted

The House of Bernarda Alba has been made into many different films, TV shows, and other performances. Here are a few examples:

• A 1976 BBC television show in English.
• A Spanish film called La casa de Bernarda Alba from 1987.
• An Indian film from 1991 called Rukmavati ki Haveli.
• In 1967, a ballet called Las Desenamoradas was created, using music by John Coltrane.
• A new English version was written by British playwright Tom Stoppard in 1973.
• An opera called Bernarda Albas Haus premiered in 2000.
• In 2006, the play was turned into a musical called Bernarda Alba at Lincoln Center.
• In 2012, a version was set in modern-day Iran instead of 1930s Spain.
• In 2018, the play was adapted for the Melbourne Theatre Company. This version was set in a mining town in modern Western Australia.

Images for kids

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  Minerva Mena playing a role in La casa de Bernarda Alba

See also

In Spanish: La casa de Bernarda Alba para niños