Bernarda's+Entrance

=Bernarda's Entrance (page 193-199)=


 * Characters**: Poncia, Maid, Bernarda, Voice, Beggar Woman, First Woman, Girl

Good afternoon. We are ISB Radio and welcome to the matinée lunchtime special! Today we will be presenting an excerpt from 'The House of Bernada Alba', a drama set in the rolling hills of Andalusia, Spain. We open in the house of Bernada Alba, on the day of a funeral.
 * Intro to Radio Play** (Teresa)

//Radio Play//

**Significance of Scene**

 * Establishes Bernarda's power over other characters
 * Contrast of atmosphere before/after Bernarda's appearance
 * Before: Free speech, anger, complaint, tension
 * Loud voices of Poncia, Maid
 * Maid's authoritative stance towards Beggar Woman
 * Poncia's theft of sausages and garbanzos
 * After: Timidity, conformity
 * Maid leaves upon orders
 * First Woman obeys Bernarda's orders, wishes Girl to do the same
 * Characters shift attention to Bernarda
 * Bernarda's entrance and immediate control of room emphasizes her authority
 * Alludes to youth deviation from Bernarda's traditional rules
 * Introduces gossip as a motif to reveal hypocrisy of characters' images vs their actual thoughts
 * Emphasizes self-interest of characters

Characters

 * Poncia**
 * Reveals bitterness towards Bernarda
 * Exhibits closeness of her relationship and depth of knowledge of Alba household
 * Informs audience of Bernarda's harsh control over household
 * Displays hypocrisy between hatred for Bernarda and diligent servant image
 * Though of equal age to Bernarda, Poncia is ironically still under authority of Bernarda


 * Maid**
 * With Poncia, sets bitter, tense mood of play
 * Through interaction with Poncia, audience informed of household matters
 * Reveals social status contrast
 * Bernarda's harshness and control revealed through Maid's monologue
 * Also introduces motif of hypocrisy/false image, affair with Maria


 * Bernarda**
 * Exhibits strict, controlling nature
 * Total control and power over other characters
 * Condescending behavior towards others


 * Voice**
 * Reminds audience of Bernarda's constant presence in play
 * Builds tension and suspense, voice is disembodied, mysterious
 * Conveys desire to escape boundaries established by Bernarda


 * Beggar Woman**
 * Reveals social hierarchy in time period, Maid's desire to have authority (tells Beggar Woman to "Get out" (198))
 * Reflects ruthlessness of household members


 * First Woman**
 * Reflects Bernarda's control over outsiders who do not work for her
 * Agrees with Bernarda, tells Girl not to speak out of turn


 * Girl**
 * Suggests more young generation's nonconformist attitude (challenges Bernarda: "you must eat to live." (199))
 * Demonstrates Bernarda's control even over someone not a member of her household

**Sounds**

 * Bell**
 * annoying and persistent, infiltrates entire household, symbolic of presence of church in their lives
 * before dialogue begins, bell tolls once and "shady silence" (193) follows, introducing eerie and uneasy atmosphere
 * [the bells stop tolling] (195) after "Poncia: [Bernarda's] poor husband has earned a good rest."
 * Rest from hearing bells, husband's rest suggests representation of Bernarda within bells
 * like continuously tolling bells, Bernarda portrayed as irritating/frustrating (to Maid and Poncia)
 * Although some disobedience of rules (taking Bernarda's food), incorporates generosity towards maid and mostly following Bernarda's orders
 * Locking up Maria Josefa
 * Cleaning in preparation for Bernarda's arrival
 * [the bells ring] (196) after abrupt halt in rant about Bernarda, changes to awkward focus on dirty crystal
 * Breaks awkward moment between Poncia and Maid
 * Draws attention back to religious customs
 * [the bells ring] (197)
 * Returns to proper religious customs subsequent to improper religious behavior from Poncia: "AME-E-EN!" (197)
 * [the bells stop ringing] (197) upon Beggar Woman's request for leftovers
 * Signifies break in cheerful attitude and religious praise
 * Maid's elf-serving behavior, derailing from religion/Bernarda's rules
 * [the bells start ringing again] (198)
 * Return to religious customs
 * Entrance of mourners and Bernarda
 * Continuous ringing of bells during Bernarda's presence emphasizes Bernarda's attachment to religious tradition
 * Reiterates constant presence of religion and church in lives


 * Scrubbing**
 * [the maid scrubs] (197)
 * Constant scrubbing conveys obedience of maid towards Bernarda despite not appreciating her tyranny
 * Suppressed by Bernarda: "Silence!" (199)


 * Volume of voices**
 * Mix of loud voices at beginning from Poncia and Maid express anger towards Bernarda
 * Voice at first soft then loud calling for Bernarda express desire to escape boundaries of household and rules
 * Dominant loud voice of Bernarda emphasizes her authority
 * Quieter and shorter lines from other characters in Bernarda's presence underscores oppression