Bernarda’s Authority Tested

The House of Bernarda Alba

Bernarda’s determination to rule through command and surveillance repeatedly blinds her to the desires that ultimately defeat her control.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Reputation in Command A Reputation in Command from "The House of Bernarda Alba". A Reputation in Command First Entrance Bernarda silences Servant and dictates the mourners’ behavior. Her authority is immediately physical as well as verbal.

A Reputation in Command from "The House of Bernarda Alba". A Reputation in Command First Entrance Bernarda silences Servant and dictates the mourners’ behavior. Her authority is immediately physical as well as verbal.

A Reputation in Command First Entrance Bernarda silences Servant and dictates the mourners’ behavior. Her authority is immediately physical as well as verbal. Public and Private Rule The villagers’ hostile asides show that command does not earn affection. Bernarda nevertheless treats social respectability as something she can enforce.

The Mourning Decree The Mourning Decree from "The House of Bernarda Alba". The Mourning Decree Control as Tradition Bernarda announces eight years of mourning and commands her daughters to embroider.

The Mourning Decree from "The House of Bernarda Alba". The Mourning Decree Control as Tradition Bernarda announces eight years of mourning and commands her daughters to embroider.

The Mourning Decree Control as Tradition Bernarda announces eight years of mourning and commands her daughters to embroider. She presents inherited custom as an unquestionable rule. Authority Over Bodies The decree denies the daughters movement, color, and ordinary social contact. Bernarda’s power depends on treating their desires as irrelevant.

Warnings Refused Warnings Refused from "The House of Bernarda Alba". Warnings Refused A Chance to See Poncia warns Bernarda that the household contains a serious danger.

Warnings Refused from "The House of Bernarda Alba". Warnings Refused A Chance to See Poncia warns Bernarda that the household contains a serious danger.

Warnings Refused A Chance to See Poncia warns Bernarda that the household contains a serious danger. Bernarda insists that nothing is happening and that her vigilance is sufficient. Pride as Blindness Her confidence prevents her from recognizing what the evidence suggests. The need to command displaces the judgment needed to protect her family.

The Stick Broken The Stick Broken from "The House of Bernarda Alba". The Stick Broken A Direct Rebellion When Bernarda confronts Adela, Adela takes her mother’s stick and breaks it.

The Stick Broken from "The House of Bernarda Alba". The Stick Broken A Direct Rebellion When Bernarda confronts Adela, Adela takes her mother’s stick and breaks it.

The Stick Broken A Direct Rebellion When Bernarda confronts Adela, Adela takes her mother’s stick and breaks it. The object that has enforced obedience is suddenly powerless. Authority Exposed Adela declares that Bernarda is no longer her jailer. Bernarda’s rule has not merely been challenged in words; its central emblem has been destroyed.

The Final Command The Final Command from "The House of Bernarda Alba". The Final Command Control After Loss Bernarda learns that Adela has died and immediately directs the family and servants.

The Final Command from "The House of Bernarda Alba". The Final Command Control After Loss Bernarda learns that Adela has died and immediately directs the family and servants.

The Final Command Control After Loss Bernarda learns that Adela has died and immediately directs the family and servants. She forbids tears and dictates what the village may be told. A Damaged Victory Her authority survives as an outward performance, but it has failed to prevent the death it should have averted. The final command restores silence without restoring the family.

Act One, during the funeral gathering

Act One, after the gathering

Act Two, after the portrait discovery

Act Three, during the final confrontation

Act Three, final lines