Home : The House of Bernarda Alba : Study Guide

The House of Bernarda Alba Study Guide

by Federico Garcia Lorca

The House of Bernarda Alba study guide contains a biography of Federico García Lorca, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

The House of Bernarda Alba is a reflection of Lorca's intense theatrical sense, meaning that the play's focus is less its simple plot and more the atmosphere created around it.

The entire play is set in Bernarda's house, where she lives with her five daughters, her maid La Poncia, and several other servants. The Alba family lives in a small village in Andalusia, a region of Spain.

Act I opens on La Poncia and a servant, who are cleaning the house while the funeral of Bernarda's husband takes place in the nearby church. They complain about how Bernarda tyrannically demands the house be kept too clean even though she should pay more attention to her unwed daughters. The funeral bells announce the end of the ceremony, and 200 women enter the…

Read the full The House of Bernarda Alba Summary

• The House of Bernarda Alba Summary
• About The House of Bernarda Alba
• Character List
• Glossary of Terms
• Major Themes
• Quotes and Analysis
• Summary and Analysis of ACT I (part one)
• Summary and Analysis of ACT I (part two)
• Summary and Analysis of ACT II (part one)
• Summary and Analysis of ACT II (part two)
• Summary and Analysis of ACT III (part one)
• Summary and Analysis of ACT III (part two)
• About the I[Duende]
• Related Links on The House of Bernarda Alba
• Suggested Essay Questions
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 1
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 2
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 3
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 4
• Author of ClassicNote and Sources

• The House of Bernarda Alba: Major Themes
• The House of Bernarda Alba: Questions
• The House of Bernarda Alba: Purchase the Novel and Related Material
• Federico Garcia Lorca: Biography