La Casa De Bernarda Alba

Act I

Reading Check

1. “[U]nrealistic landscapes, with nymphs or legendary kings” (Act I)

2. Magdalena (Act I)

3. A “bitch” (i.e., dog) (Act I)

4. “[A]nimals” (Act I)

5. “A needle and thread for women. A whip and mule for men.” (Act I)

6. Her mother (i.e., Maria Josefa) (Act I)

Short Answer

1. A beggar woman visits Bernarda’s house, hoping for scraps; however, the Servant turns her away and tells her, “Today’s scraps are for me!” (Act I)

2. Bernarda is strict with her daughters, giving them orders and cruelly reminding them of their societal expectations and duties. Her daughters are generally compliant, but they are bored and frustrated with their circumstances. (Act I)

3. Angustias overhears the men talking about the rape of a woman. Initially, Bernarda is furious that Angustias would allow herself to be “throwing the man a bait on the day of her father’s funeral”; however, she is also interested in hearing about the gossip related to the rape. (Act I)

4. Martirio tells Amelia the backstory of Adelaida, a woman who is a victim of a cycle of sexual assault in the family. Amelia questions why the man was not caught and punished for his actions, to which Martirio replies “Because men cover up for each other in things like that, and no one’s willing to speak out.” (Act I)

5. Magdalena shares that Pepe el Romano will ask Angustias to marry him. Magdalena believes his motivation is only for money because he is much younger than her and she is “dull.” (Act I)

6. In a conversation between Bernarda and Poncia, the audience learns that Angustias will inherit a large amount of money, while the other girls will inherit very little. (Act I)

Act II

Reading Check

1. Her “figure and [her] sensitivity” (Act II)

2. For Angustias’s imminent wedding (Act II)

3. “[S]itting down” (Act II)

4. “When it’s gone it will soon come round again.” (Act II)

5. She “command[s].” (Act II)

6. That he is at the window at four o’clock in the morning (Act II)

Short Answer

1. As the women of the house sew, they discuss Angustias’s relationship and meeting with Pepe. Poncia reflects on her own marriage and informs the girls “that two weeks after the wedding a man leaves the bed for the table, and then the table for the tavern. And the woman who doesn’t accept it wastes away crying in a corner.” (Act II)

2. Poncia accuses Adela of having feelings for Pepe. She says that mostly likely, her sister Angustias will die in childbirth and Pepe will eventually marry her. But Adela rebuffs these assertions, calling Poncia a servant and arguing that she is “stronger.” (Act II)

3. Poncia gave her eldest son money so he could pay for sex with a woman. Her reasoning is that “[m]en need these things.” (Act II)

4. Angustias enters the room frantically, accusing her sisters of stealing her fiancé’s portrait. After the commotion brings in Bernarda, Poncia eventually returns with the item, saying she found it in Martirio’s sheets. (Act II)

5. Poncia attempts to tell Bernarda that Martirio’s theft was not a joke, but rather the result of jealously and more serious frustrations among her daughters. Bernarda refuses to listen, and says “[t]here is nothing happening here.” (Act III)

6. An unmarried girl had a child and tried to bury it, only to have some local dogs retrieve the baby and leave it on the girl’s doorstep. Bernarda and Martirio are anxious to have the mob kill the girl, while Adela is concerned for her safety. (Act II)

Act III

Reading Check

1. “The set should have perfect simplicity.” (Act III)

2. The church (Act III)

3. “A good night for thieves, for someone who needs to hide.” (Act III)

4. A lamb (Act III)

5. Because she believes that Bernarda had killed Pepe with a gun (Act III)

6. That everyone knows she “died a virgin” (Act III)

Short Answer

1. Prudencia asks about Angustias’s forthcoming betrothal, and Angustias shows her the ring. Prudencia comments on the fact that her engagement ring has pearls, which represent “tears.” (Act III)

2. Bernarda encourages Angustias to speak with Martirio since the theft of the picture was only a joke. Bernarda is concerned about the “respectable appearance” of the family. (Act III)

3. After Prudencia leaves, Bernarda is strict with her daughters, ensuring that they all go to bed at that moment. She then informs Poncia, “In this house there’s nothing going on that [her] watchfulness can’t cope with.” (Act III)

4. Pepe was interested in Adela the year before; however, Poncia believes it was not entirely his fault, since “it was [Adela’s] place not to lead him on.” (Act III)

5. Working on the suspicion that Adela is meeting Pepe in secret, Martirio catches her in the corral. Adela accuses Martirio of being jealous because she loves him too, and Martirio confirms this. Adela states that she will continue to meet him in secret after he marries Angustias. (Act III)