Symbolism in Lorca's Plays

FLOWERS: represent happiness and ease.

The ROSE also represents young women because of its delicacy, its youth, its fragrance; the rose is a testament to love, union, happiness.

The TREE is a sign of durability, of permanence.

THE MOON: is a constant in Lorca. Its clear and mysterious light envelops tragedy.

WATER presents itself in any form. A few words in a certain tone are like a torrent of water, sonorous, austere, grave, solemn: It is soft, gentle. For Prudencia, the running of water is equivalent to things being erased, to being forgotten. Black water is poisoned, stagnant, dirty water. The waves are joyful, young, rippling, animated by a repeating movement. This is how María Josefa wants to be, who, in the midst of her madness, wishes to leave the gloomy house where there is only sadness.

ANIMALS in Lorca's plays signify the most varied: the tallest and the lowest, the most submissive and the bravest. In rural settings, they can serve as clocks. Country folk have always relied on the sun and other neighbors' animals to tell the time;

* The sonority of prayer is like a howl. The strength, the fury, the poise of Pepe el Romano are like those of a lion.

The DOG is the submissive animal, man's faithful companion, whom it defends and protects (or sometimes attacks).

The FROG is an ugly, slimy, almost repugnant animal; they represent the destructive effects of human cruelty and the repression of natural vitality.

Certain instruments and animals are attributed to men as a sign of masculinity: For Bernarda Alba, the men of the town raze everything, dirtying it.

BLOOD is the strength of the spirit, it is instinct, but more importantly, it is repression and the desire to be freed. When blood is mentioned, it is their pain in being oppressed to a life they don't want.

THE STORM: represents bad weather, the impetuous arrival of something, more or less temporary setbacks.

FIRE: It shines, but fire is also life, it is inner strength. In contrast to coldness, to death, it is life. Fire is the color of cheeks burning with health or passion: it is passion itself: it is light, radiance. Fire burns, produces pain, but also purifies.

COLORS. Black is the color of mourning, of pain, of dirt, of poisoning. We are told that the bride is wearing a black dress, when the most deeply rooted custom is for her to wear white. Her lack of purity is evident. However, the groom does not want to wear shoes of this color. White appears on many occasions. Sometimes it is a symbol of purity, but only in appearance. Red is the color that symbolizes passionate love:

DARKNESS, for Federico García Lorca, represents maturity, almost old age.​

FLOWERS: “As the house lights being to dim, MARIA JOSEFA runs onstage. She is wearing a faded wedding dress. On her head is a garland of flowers.” (Page 3)

ROSE: “Throw open your windows. You women who grace this town. The reaper begs for red roses. Roses to garland his crown.” (Page 78, Reapers)

TREE: “Pepe, you run now, alive, in the darkness, under the thick embrace of trees.” (Page 141, Bernarda)

MOON: “I hear Pepe likes to walk there in the silver of moonlight.” (Page 82, Martirio)

WATER: “I let the waters run.” (Page 105, Prudencia) / “We'll be like the waves on the shore, one after another.” (Page 126, Maria Josefa)

ANIMALS: The most important one in this play is the Horse, a symbol of the sexual desire that fills the house; it is most commonly associated with Pepe el Romano.

HOWL: Never really quoted in this adaptation, but indirectly referenced. It can refer to the call of the reapers for the women, the strength of Pepe el Romano’s whistle, or an attack that is forecoming to the daughters.

DOG: Poncia’s line in Page 10 refers to Man’s faithful companion; Adela’s line in Page 67 refers to the attacks from others; the dogs barking in the distance in Page 126 that something is coming, but is doubtful about whether the dog is defending or attacking; and María Josefa’s line in Page 127 refers to the attacks from others.

FROG: “You're all just grains of wheat. No, not grains of wheat. But frogs without tongues.” (Page 128, Maria Josefa)

SONG OF WORKERS: It’s call to the women, like a lion.

BLOOD: Not gonna lie, too many quotes.

STORM: “A storm is brewing, and the day it erupts, it'll sweep us all away.” (Page 121, Poncia)

FIRE:  Not gonna lie, too many quotes.