House of Bernarda Alba: cultural context

The House of Bernarda Alba: Cultural Context

Spanish Society and Dictatorship

  • Set in rural Spain, ‘The House of Bernarda Alba’ is marked by its cultural context, deeply influenced by the socio-political climate of Lorca’s time.
  • Spain was under the conservative dictatorship of Primo de Rivera when Lorca wrote the play.
  • The repressive atmosphere in Spain, especially towards the lower classes and women, is reflected in the oppressive environment of Bernarda Alba’s household.

The Role of Women

  • The play offers a sharp critique of the subjugation and objectification of women in Spanish society.
  • Bernarda’s enforcement of traditional mores, symbolising societal norms, effectively stifles her daughters’ individuality and freedom.
  • The domestic setting, and the almost entirely female cast, underscores the exclusion and confinement of women in the private sphere.

Tradition and Religion

  • Catholicism and its impact on Spanish society and attitudes plays a major role in the plot, from Bernarda’s enforcement of an extended mourning period to the value placed on virginity.
  • The presence of societal norms such as honour and social status heavily influences the behaviour and decisions of characters. These themes are tied to the play’s cultural context, reflecting the values upheld in traditional Spanish society.
  • The frequent references to rituals and folklore offer insight into the cultural environment of the characters, adding authenticity to the Spanish rural setting.

Lorca’s Political Views

  • Lorca was a progressive thinker and part of the Generation of ‘27, an influential group of Spanish poets known for their avant-garde ideas. His liberal values conflict sharply with the conservatism depicted in the play.
  • The fixation on freedom and liberation seen in Adela, and her tragic end, could be seen as Lorca’s commentary on the restrictive norms of his society that curb individual expression and freedom.
  • The fate of the characters serves as Lorca’s critique of the harmful impact of fascism and conservatism on ordinary lives.

Understanding the cultural context of ‘The House of Bernarda Alba’ deepens our comprehension of the characters’ actions and the oppressive environment of the play. It helps us understand Lorca’s intentions of critiquing the conservative norms of his society, while simultaneously creating a compelling and tragic domestic drama.