The House of Bernarda Alba

# Essay Prompt: *The House of Bernarda Alba* by Federico García Lorca **Prompt:** In *The House of Bernarda Alba*, Federico García Lorca portrays Bernarda's oppressive household as a reflection of a strict patriarchal and socially restrictive society. **Argue that Lorca uses the themes of confinement, silence, and rebellion to criticize the harmful effects of social conformity and authoritarian control on individual freedom.** In your essay, be sure to: - **Introduce** a clear thesis that presents your stance on how confinement, silence, and/or rebellion serve as instruments of social critique in the play. - **Analyze** at least **two or three specific scenes or moments** from the text (e.g., Bernarda's orders for mourning, Adela's act of defiance, Pepe el Romano's presence off-stage) to bolster your argument. - **Examine** how Lorca employs dramatic techniques — such as symbolism (the white walls, the green dress, the stallion), stage directions, and the all-female cast — to strengthen his critique. - **Consider** the role of **honor** (*honra*) as a social construct and how characters either uphold or challenge it. - **Conclude** by reflecting on the wider implications of Lorca's message: What does the play reveal about the impact of repression on the human spirit? **Length:** 4–6 paragraphs (or as directed by your teacher) **Format:** Formal literary essay with textual evidence and citations

ap_lit · ib_lang_lit · aqa · a_level_english_lit

# Essay Prompt: *The House of Bernarda Alba* by Federico García Lorca **Prompt:** In *The House of Bernarda Alba*, Federico García Lorca portrays Bernarda's oppressive household as a reflection of the wider social and political repression in 1930s Spain. **Argue that Bernarda's authoritarian rule serves as a symbol of fascist control, and analyze how Lorca employs setting, character, and imagery to critique the harmful effects of absolute power on individual freedom.** --- **In your essay, be sure to:** - Develop a clear, defensible thesis that connects Bernarda's domestic tyranny to a broader thematic or political argument. - Analyze **at least two** specific literary or dramatic techniques (e.g., symbolism, stage directions, dialogue, imagery) and explain how each supports your claim. - Discuss how **at least two characters** (e.g., Adela, Martirio, Poncia, or Bernarda herself) embody or resist the forces of repression in the play. - Consider how the play's ending reinforces or complicates your argument. - Use **textual evidence** (direct quotations or specific references) to back up each point. --- **Suggested Length:** 4–6 paragraphs (or as directed by your teacher) **Suggested Time:** 45–60 minutes

ap_lit · ib_lang_lit · aqa · a_level_english_lit

# Essay Prompt: *The House of Bernarda Alba* by Federico García Lorca **Prompt:** In *The House of Bernarda Alba*, Federico García Lorca portrays the stifling environment of Bernarda's household as a reflection of the wider social and political repression in 1930s Spain. **Argue that Bernarda's authoritarian control serves as a critique of patriarchal society and the institutions — such as religion, tradition, and social honor — that uphold it.** In your essay, be sure to: - **Introduce a clear thesis** that takes a stance on how Lorca uses Bernarda's household to critique systemic oppression. - **Analyze at least two specific dramatic techniques** (e.g., symbolism, stage directions, imagery, dialogue) that Lorca uses to convey this critique. - **Examine the role of at least two characters** (e.g., Adela, Martirio, Poncia, or La Poncia) as either agents of resistance or tools of repression. - **Consider the play's ending** and what it suggests about the ultimate power — or lack thereof — of authoritarian control. - **Support all claims with textual evidence**, including direct quotations and specific scene references. --- **Suggested Length:** 4–6 paragraphs (approximately 800–1,200 words) **Guiding Question to Sharpen Your Thesis:** Does Lorca depict oppression as an unavoidable force, or does the play suggest a chance for liberation?

ap_lit · ib_lang_lit · aqa · a_level