70 pages 2 hours read

Federico García Lorca

La Casa De Bernarda Alba

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1945

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Reading Questions & Paired Texts

Reading Check and Short Answer questions on key points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.

Act I

Reading Check

1. According to the stage direction, what type of paintings are located in Bernarda’s house?

2. According to Poncia, who is “the only one her father loved”?

3. Which animal does Poncia compare herself to?

4. What does Bernarda compare poor people to?

5. Which activities does Bernarda delineate based on gender?

6. Who does Bernarda keep locked up during the funeral?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Who visits Bernarda’s house while the Servant is cleaning? What does she request?

2. Describe how Bernarda interacts with her daughters. Generally, how do her daughters respond to this treatment?

3. What does Angustias overhear the men talking about? How does Bernarda react to her daughter?

4. Describe the conversation between Martirio and Amelia about Adelaida. Why is Amelia shocked?

5. What news does Magdalena share about Pepe el Romano? What does she believe is his motivation?

6. What is the difference in inheritance between Angustias and the rest of her sisters?

Paired Resource

La Casa de Bernarda Alba Trailer

  • This resource is Melbourne Theater Company’s 2018 adaptation of Lorca’s play.