Possible answers: The fact that male characters never appear on stage is perhaps reflective of the social context whereby despite their absence, they maintain a certain superiority and power over the female characters. Despite Pepe's absence, he has the most power in the way that he acts as the catalyst for all the problems between characters, thereby causing Adela's death. He represents the exploitative male character in the way that he acts selfishly and cowardly, refusing to suffer the consequences of his actions and thereby not acting in a typically manly way. The horse is a symbol for Pepe and the male virility which the daughters desperately seek. Men represent freedom for the daughters, shown through the men in the fields who the daughters wish to join. The daughters view marriage as the only escape from the oppression and repression maintained by their mother, although it could be argued that marriage cannot represent any true form of freedom for a woman due to societal constraints. Bernarda herself is the most male character in the play, she holds the position of power and oppression amongst the characters and maintains the idea of female submission, just as the male head of a household would.
See Also
House of Bernada Alba – Act OneThe House of Bernarda Alba. Bernarda’s Daughters.How does The House of Bernarda Alba represent Spain?La Casa De Bernarda Alba Symbols & Motifs | SuperSummary