Adela and Pepe’s Emotional Bond

The House of Bernarda Alba

Adela experiences Pepe as both an object of passionate longing and the imagined route beyond Bernarda’s restrictions.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Name That Disturbs A Name That Disturbs from "The House of Bernarda Alba". A Name That Disturbs An Immediate Reaction When Magdalena says Pepe will marry Angustias, Adela protests that the match cannot be real.

A Name That Disturbs from "The House of Bernarda Alba". A Name That Disturbs An Immediate Reaction When Magdalena says Pepe will marry Angustias, Adela protests that the match cannot be real.

A Name That Disturbs An Immediate Reaction When Magdalena says Pepe will marry Angustias, Adela protests that the match cannot be real. Her response shows that he already matters deeply to her. A Desire Hidden She does not explain her feelings to her sisters. The emotional bond first appears through the intensity of what she cannot say.

Watching Him Pass Watching Him Pass from "The House of Bernarda Alba". Watching Him Pass Attraction Through Distance The sisters hurry to see Pepe when he approaches, and Adela initially pretends not to care.

Watching Him Pass from "The House of Bernarda Alba". Watching Him Pass Attraction Through Distance The sisters hurry to see Pepe when he approaches, and Adela initially pretends not to care.

Watching Him Pass Attraction Through Distance The sisters hurry to see Pepe when he approaches, and Adela initially pretends not to care. She eventually runs to her room’s window. A Private Exception Her movement reveals that she is as drawn to him as the others, but with a more personal intensity. The window gives her a way to look while staying unseen.

Blood and Attraction Blood and Attraction from "The House of Bernarda Alba". Blood and Attraction Passion Described Physically Adela tells Poncia that looking into Pepe’s eyes feels like slowly drinking his blood.

Blood and Attraction from "The House of Bernarda Alba". Blood and Attraction Passion Described Physically Adela tells Poncia that looking into Pepe’s eyes feels like slowly drinking his blood.

Blood and Attraction Passion Described Physically Adela tells Poncia that looking into Pepe’s eyes feels like slowly drinking his blood. The image gives desire a consuming, bodily force. No Distance Desired Poncia urges restraint, but Adela says she is stronger than the servant and will not be turned aside. Passion becomes a direct challenge to caution.

The Affair Acknowledged The Affair Acknowledged from "The House of Bernarda Alba". The Affair Acknowledged A Claim of Mutual Love Adela insists that Pepe loves her and says he will take her to the reeds by the water.

The Affair Acknowledged from "The House of Bernarda Alba". The Affair Acknowledged A Claim of Mutual Love Adela insists that Pepe loves her and says he will take her to the reeds by the water.

The Affair Acknowledged A Claim of Mutual Love Adela insists that Pepe loves her and says he will take her to the reeds by the water. Her words make the relationship the center of the family conflict. The Cost of Being Seen She accepts the possibility of village condemnation. The bond gives her emotional certainty, but it offers no protection from the social order around her.

Love Lost to a Lie Love Lost to a Lie from "The House of Bernarda Alba". Love Lost to a Lie A False Death Martirio tells Adela that Pepe has been killed. Adela believes her and rushes away crying out his name.

Love Lost to a Lie from "The House of Bernarda Alba". Love Lost to a Lie A False Death Martirio tells Adela that Pepe has been killed. Adela believes her and rushes away crying out his name.

Love Lost to a Lie A False Death Martirio tells Adela that Pepe has been killed. Adela believes her and rushes away crying out his name. The Bond’s Tragic End Pepe is alive, but Adela’s despair has already become fatal. Her intense attachment leaves no emotional refuge once she believes the relationship is gone.

Act One, when the engagement is announced

Act One, as Pepe approaches the street corner

Act Two, during Poncia’s warning

Act Three, when Adela confronts Martirio

Act Three, after Bernarda’s shot