La Casa De Bernarda Alba Sparknotes
By analysing the given extract, can one understand Bernarda as embodying a patriarchal society?
“¡No, no ha tenido novio ninguna, ni les hace falta! Pueden pasarse muy bien.” Such an assertive statement from the matriarch, Bernarda, contradicts the underlying theme of oppression presented throughout the play. Set in early 20th Century Spain, the oppression of women was a common occurrence in a society where men held positions of authority. Although men do have a strong presence throughout La Casa de Bernarda Alba, the play only has female characters, thus giving voice to an often unheard demographic. By exploring possible theories behind this statement within the context of the Spanish culture, this essay will aim to understand to what …show more content…
Given the difficulties outlined in the previous paragraph, the most accessible route to independence from men would have been through religious reasons for Bernarda and her family, such as committing to a convent. Therefore, modelling the house as a convent is a possible solution to escape patriarchy. However, it is questionable whether Bernarda does this to provide liberation from the oppressive male dominated society for her daughters. Perhaps rather than acting out of compassion, she wishes to ensure that they do not commit the sin of sex, as, “It is this Christian identification of sex with sin that portrays the female as an immanent source of danger.” (Townsend, 2004, p.378). Thus, the downfall of women is seen by society to be their sexual desires. By preventing any contact between her daughters and males, Bernarda can discourage those apparently perilous sexual wishes to be awakened. Moreover, opting to become withdrawn from men means that Bernarda is adhering to cultural perceptions that to be born a woman is worse. For this reason, Bernarda is not presenting a challenge against patriarchy, but rather representing an acceptance to the system. Bernarda’s solution to the preoccupations of the dangers of femininity is to withdraw her daughters completely from any situation in which they may fail to obey to the cultural
“¡No, no ha tenido novio ninguna, ni les hace falta! Pueden pasarse muy bien.” Such an assertive statement from the matriarch, Bernarda, contradicts the underlying theme of oppression presented throughout the play. Set in early 20th Century Spain, the oppression of women was a common occurrence in a society where men held positions of authority. Although men do have a strong presence throughout La Casa de Bernarda Alba, the play only has female characters, thus giving voice to an often unheard demographic. By exploring possible theories behind this statement within the context of the Spanish culture, this essay will aim to understand to what …show more content…
Given the difficulties outlined in the previous paragraph, the most accessible route to independence from men would have been through religious reasons for Bernarda and her family, such as committing to a convent. Therefore, modelling the house as a convent is a possible solution to escape patriarchy. However, it is questionable whether Bernarda does this to provide liberation from the oppressive male dominated society for her daughters. Perhaps rather than acting out of compassion, she wishes to ensure that they do not commit the sin of sex, as, “It is this Christian identification of sex with sin that portrays the female as an immanent source of danger.” (Townsend, 2004, p.378). Thus, the downfall of women is seen by society to be their sexual desires. By preventing any contact between her daughters and males, Bernarda can discourage those apparently perilous sexual wishes to be awakened. Moreover, opting to become withdrawn from men means that Bernarda is adhering to cultural perceptions that to be born a woman is worse. For this reason, Bernarda is not presenting a challenge against patriarchy, but rather representing an acceptance to the system. Bernarda’s solution to the preoccupations of the dangers of femininity is to withdraw her daughters completely from any situation in which they may fail to obey to the cultural