House of Bernarda Alba: dramatic climax

House of Bernarda Alba: dramatic climax

Dramatic Climax: The House of Bernarda Alba

Central Event

• The dramatic climax in the play occurs when Bernarda discovers Adela’s relationship with Pepe el Romano.
• This event triggers a chaotic unraveling of the carefully maintained facade of control within the household.

Adela and Bernarda

• When confronted, Adela passionately defends her love for Pepe, boldly challenging Bernarda’s authority.
• This level of defiance shatters Bernarda’s control over her daughters and compromises their family’s honour, both of which Bernarda values above all else.

Pepe’s Death

• The dramatic high point is further amplified when Bernarda, in a fit of rage, falsely claims that Pepe has been shot and killed.
• This manipulation is Bernarda’s desperate attempt to regain control over Adela and it ends up pushing Adela towards her tragic end.

Adela’s death

• Upon hearing the news of Pepe’s alleged death, Adela takes her own life, marking the peak of the play’s tragedy.
• This marks the tragic outcome of a rebellion against a repressive regime and the consequences of a society that values honour over human life.

Family Dynamics

• The climax not only spotlights the individual tragic fates of Adela and Bernarda, but also exposes the destructive family dynamics governed by societal pressures and norms.

Bernarda’s Final Words

• Bernarda’s final words, insisting on maintaining the illusion of control and propriety even in the face of Adela’s death, underlines the repressive environment in which the characters exist.
• This is a powerful reminder of the oppressive societal norms that catalysed the series of tragic events in the first place.