The House of Bernarda Alba Lesson Plan

What does the setting of Act I suggest about the world of the play and those who live in the house of Bernarda Alba?

Students could point to the clean and restrictive setting and how the "very white inner room" might be suggestive of the way Bernarda keeps her daughters shut off from the world. Details such as the "thick walls" create a sequestered and empty atmosphere, further emphasized by the "great shady silence" that opens the play. In addition, the pictures of nymphs and legendary kings portray fantasy worlds beyond the reach of those in the play and can be seen as ironic symbols of escape and freedom.

Locate an instance of male desire and an instance of female...