The House of Bernarda Alba (English translation) (Spanish Edition)

This edition of “The House of Bernarda Alba” includes: Author’s biography Explanations about the historical context “The House of Bernarda Alba,” penned by the illustrious Spanish playwright Federico Garcia Lorca, is a gripping drama set in a rural village in Andalusia. The play plunges readers into the stifling atmosphere of Bernarda Alba’s home, a house dominated by the iron will of its matriarch. Following the death of her husband, the wealthy widow Bernarda Alba imposes an eight-year period of mourning upon her household, insisting on complete seclusion from the outside world. The mourning period casts a heavy shroud over the house, confining Bernarda’s five unmarried daughters within its walls. Tensions rise as the daughters’ dreams and desires clash with the oppressive rules set forth by their mother. As the daughters struggle with their own yearnings for love and freedom, an attractive suitor, Pepe el Romano, enters the scene, sparking a simmering rivalry among the sisters. Their passion, jealousy, and longing are heightened by the oppressive heat of the Andalusian summer and the strict societal expectations that weigh upon them. Lorca masterfully crafts a tale that seethes with emotional intensity. He explores themes of repression, desire, and societal norms that bind and restrict individuals, especially women. With poetic language and vivid imagery, Lorca captures the smothering atmosphere of the house and the tangled emotions that lie beneath the surface. As the play unfolds, the tension builds, and the characters find themselves torn between their desire for personal freedom and the harsh realities of their world. Without giving away the ending, the play reaches a climax that is both heart-wrenching and deeply moving, leaving readers with a lasting impression of the emotional complexity of the human experience.