La Casa de Bernarda Alba - Quotes 2

"Eso tiene ser mujer" - Bernarda Act 1

"It's what it means to be a woman" - shows the acceptance in society of the oppression of women

"Malditas sean las mujeres" - Magdalena Act 1

"Women are cursed" - shows the fact that being a woman in itself is considered to be a negative in life

"Nacer mujer es el mayor castigo" - Amelia Act 2

"To be born a woman is the greatest punishment" - highlights how women recognise their own repression and low worth in society

"Mandonna! Dominanta!" - La Poncia Act 1

"Bossy! Dominating!" - Immediately gives the audience an idea of Bernarda's tyranny before she has even entered the stage

"No pienso… yo ordeno" - Bernarda Act 2

"I don't think, I order" - shows Bernarda's brutality and how she goes about ruling her household

"Una hija que desobedece deja de ser hija para convertirse en enemiga" - Bernarda Act 3

"A daughter who disobeys quickly will become an enemy" - Bernarda shows her emotional maternal detachment here from her daughters and what will happen if one of her daughters dares to disobey her (we already know that Adela is doing this)

"Quiero buena fachada y armonía familiar" - Bernarda Act 3

"I want a good facade and family harmony" -

Highlights Bernarda's obsession with what her neighbours think about her family - reputation and honour

"…no me acostumbraré! Yo no quiero estar encerrada." - Adela Act 1

"I will not get used to it! I don't want to be imprisoned" - immediately makes Adela stand out from her sister's resignation to their life - she is defiant and rebellious

"Voy a beber agua" - Adela Act 3

"I am going to drink water" - Adela here brings up the symbol of water just before seeing Pepe showing her need to be free and flowing from her mother's tyranny. She needs water to relieve her feeling of sexual frustration and encarceration

"Una mullila sin desbravar" - Martirio Act 2

"An untamed mule" - Showing that Adela's want for freedom is uncontrollable

"Estarán las vecinas con el oído pegado a los tabíques" - Bernarda Act 2

"All the neighbours have their ears glued to the walls" - highlights Bernarda's preoccupation with how other people view her family. The role of los chismes and reputation is highlighted by this quote

"Ella, la hija menor de Bernarda Alba, ha muerto virgen" - Bernarda Act 3

"Her, the youngest daughter of Bernarda Alba, has died a virgin" - Even after the suicide of her daughter, Bernarda's first thought is her worry of what people will think

"Me sirves y te pago. Nada más!" - Bernarda Act 1

"You serve me and I pay you. Nothing more!" - Bernarda's emotional detachment for a woman who has worked for her for 30 years, cruel - highlights the class system

"En el pueblo hay gentes que leen también de lejos los pensamientos escondidos" - La Poncia Act 2

"There are people in the town who also read other people's minds" - social awareness and worry, reputation and honour