TheHouse of Bernarda Alba: Chapter Notes – Act 1
Summary
In this act, we first learn about the funeral of Bernada’s husband, followed by the introduction of thedifferent female characters and our impression of them based on theirconversations. Also, we learn about Pepe el Romano, Angustias’ fiancé. There is a conflict between Bernada’s mother and Bernada atthe end of Act One.
Motifs and Connotations
Cleaning
“This crystal has some spots on it.” Pg 121
Bernada feels that that cleanliness of thehouse speaks for who she is. Everything has to be clean and orderly as she isafraid of anything that could tarnish her reputation or image, and this ismetaphorically shown as the symbol of cleanliness.
Water- wells, sea, rivers
“…this damn town without a river, this town of wells!” Pg 125
“To get married at the edge of thesea, at the edge of the sea!” Pg136
Water is one of the major symbols representing freedomwithin this play. The quote on page 125 refers to a well. In that context, thewater doesn’t flow, indicating the lack of freedom as well as the confinementand restrictions that Bernada places upon herdaughters and similarly, the hold that society has on individuals. This iscontrasted with the quote on page 136 where the flowing water in the searepresents freedom.
Doors and windows
“…the neighbors can see her from their window.” Pg 127
“…peering through a crack in thefront door.” Pg 127
Another motif that representsfreedom, one of the key themes to this play. The two quotes above reveals differentscenarios. The first one on page 127 speaks of how Bernadais worried that “neighbors can see her…”. This draws the importancetowards fulfilling social expectations and how significant public appearancesare to Bernada. She refused to release her mother asshe feel that she will tarnish her reputation and image. On the contrary, thesecond quote on page 127 represents the freedom that the daughters were denied.Angustias was spying on the men through the crack inthe door. In a sense, this gave her a yearning to be free outside.
Strangers
“…the men who went with her are the sons of strangers, too.”Pg 128
There is a sense of detest for strangers when Bernada described the men who “kidnapped” Paca la Roseta. It would seemlike anyone outside the circle that society has drawn is seen as immoral. Thisshows how important conforming to society is, as if not, then that individualwill be judged by the rest of the community.
Marriage/ Love
“Then he married someone with more money than me.” Pg 131
“I want a man so I can get married and be happy!” Pg 136
The quote on page 131 shows the priorities in those timeswhere the idealistic ideas of marriage based on love is not in practice. Like Martirio, Pepe el Romano ismarrying Angustias for her wealth and land. This iscontrasting to Maria Josefa’s intention of marryingfor love and be happy. She links this to the sea, feeling that marriage willgrant her freedom. However, this is ironic as given an example from previous pages;marriage is simply another form of imprisonment.
Gaps and uncertainties
“[They sit. There is a pause.” Pg 123
There are pauses and gaps through this novel to showtension, uncertainty or even to hide secrets. The quote on page 123 shows thepower that Bernada holds over her daughters. There isa traditionalist mentality of following rules when set and told. Thisemphasises how restricted the freedom within the house is and how confined thedaughters feel.
Characters
There is a system of ranking within the household on thepower that each has. Even though Poncia is also amaid, she has been given a name, indicating her as a higher rank compared tothe other servant, simply referred to as maid. Below the maid is the beggarwoman who begged for scraps.
The head of the house hold is Bernada,mother of five daughters. From the conversation between them, it allows thereaders the opportunity to evaluate each character. Of the five daughters, Angustias,is to be married of to Pepe el Romano. This hascaused a rift between the sisters as Adela has fallen for him as well and alsobecause of marrying for her money. Despite Angustiasstubborn nature, it causes the readers to sympatisewith her, whether or not she is oblivious to the situation.
There are also the First, Second, and Third woman.
Setting
“A very white inner room in Bernada’s house. Thick walls.Arched doorways with jute curtains trimmed with black beads and ruffles. Rushbottomed chairs. Pictures of nymphs or legendary kings inimprobable landscapes. It is summer. A great shady silence envelops thestage…Church bells are tolling.”
At the beginning of the play, the setting was described asthe paragraph above. Already from the description of the house- thick walls,there is a sense of confinement and secrecy. “A great shady silence” describesthe tension in the air. It also represents how Bernadafeels constantly pressured to conform to society. The “pictures of nymphs”depict a highly romanticised and wealthy family.Finally, the last line describing the church bells highlights the importance ofreligion, as not only to live but also as a source of confinement.
