Fermín and Bernarda's Courtship

The Shadow of the Wind

This flow traces Fermín's comic pursuit of Bernarda as it turns into a serious wish to become worthy of her trust.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Household Ally A Household Ally from "The Shadow of the Wind". Bernarda Takes Daniel In Maternal Care Bernarda mends Daniel's clothes, feeds him, and warns him against becoming obsessed with Clara.

A Household Ally from "The Shadow of the Wind". Bernarda Takes Daniel In Maternal Care Bernarda mends Daniel's clothes, feeds him, and warns him against becoming obsessed with Clara.

Bernarda Takes Daniel In Maternal Care Bernarda mends Daniel's clothes, feeds him, and warns him against becoming obsessed with Clara. A Wounded Kindness Her care grows from an understanding of loss, while her own past makes her wary of men who promise more than they give.

The Bookshop Encounter The Bookshop Encounter from "The Shadow of the Wind". Fermín Notices Bernarda A Visit for a Book Bernarda comes to the shop seeking a present, and Fermín immediately turns the errand into an occasion for flattery.

The Bookshop Encounter from "The Shadow of the Wind". Fermín Notices Bernarda A Visit for a Book Bernarda comes to the shop seeking a present, and Fermín immediately turns the errand into an occasion for flattery.

Fermín Notices Bernarda A Visit for a Book Bernarda comes to the shop seeking a present, and Fermín immediately turns the errand into an occasion for flattery. Daniel's Encouragement Daniel helps arrange their walk and hopes that Bernarda may find joy after years of disappointment.

From Performance to Patience From Performance to Patience from "The Shadow of the Wind". A Suitor Learns Restraint The Seducer's Boast Fermín jokes about his expertise in romance, but increasingly describes his intentions toward Bernarda as durable…

From Performance to Patience from "The Shadow of the Wind". A Suitor Learns Restraint The Seducer's Boast Fermín jokes about his expertise in romance, but increasingly describes his intentions toward Bernarda as durable…

A Suitor Learns Restraint The Seducer's Boast Fermín jokes about his expertise in romance, but increasingly describes his intentions toward Bernarda as durable and sincere. A Better Man's Ambition He wants to become someone she can respect, even imagining marriage and fatherhood despite his old distrust of domestic life.

The Hospital Vigil The Hospital Vigil from "The Shadow of the Wind". Love in the Crisis Fermín Is Brought In After Fumero's attack, Daniel takes Fermín to Bernarda's home, where she fears she has lost the first good man she has…

The Hospital Vigil from "The Shadow of the Wind". Love in the Crisis Fermín Is Brought In After Fumero's attack, Daniel takes Fermín to Bernarda's home, where she fears she has lost the first good man she has…

Love in the Crisis Fermín Is Brought In After Fumero's attack, Daniel takes Fermín to Bernarda's home, where she fears she has lost the first good man she has loved. Care Becomes Mutual Bernarda tends to him, and Fermín holds her as they recover from fear together.

Marriage and Children Marriage and Children from "The Shadow of the Wind". The Promise Fulfilled A Wedding in 1958 Fermín and Bernarda marry after his recovery and build the family life he once thought he could not want.

Marriage and Children from "The Shadow of the Wind". The Promise Fulfilled A Wedding in 1958 Fermín and Bernarda marry after his recovery and build the family life he once thought he could not want.

The Promise Fulfilled A Wedding in 1958 Fermín and Bernarda marry after his recovery and build the family life he once thought he could not want. Love as Practice Their future rests less on Fermín's grand speeches than on the daily care and loyalty that make his promises credible.

1951-1952

Early 1953

1953-1955

Winter 1955

1956-1958