La Casa de Bernarda Alba by Federico García Lorca – Symbolism: The symbolism of water and thirst

This resource offers a focused analysis, written in Spanish, of the profound symbolism of water and thirst in Federico García Lorca’s masterpiece.

Key features:

• Explores water as a symbol of life, vitality, passion, and natural human desires.
• Presents thirst as a metaphor for repressed emotional, spiritual, and sexual longings.
• Highlights the contrast between the constant thirst of Bernarda’s daughters and the near-total absence or inaccessibility of water.
• Examines how these symbols reflect frustration, sexual repression, and the denial of freedom within the oppressive household.
• Connects the imagery to the tragic outcomes, particularly Adela’s rebellion and the perpetuation of unfulfilled desire.
• Includes an accompanying worksheet to reinforce and practise key concepts.