Characters Flashcards
Dolores
- The archetypal ‘wise woman’ of the village who advises women on how to conceive.
- Considerate of societal reputation and expectation of women (she ensures that no one sees Yerma leave her home).
- A ‘curandero’, a folk healer in 1930s Spain who has curative skills.
The Pagan Woman
- Opposes traditional Catholic values/morals.
- The ‘alternative’ archetype -> she engages in immorality e.g. multiple marriages, enjoys sex.
- Noted as the element of Earth -> deeply engaged in nature and spirituality.
- A free-spirited character, not bounded by societal reputation
UNLIKE YERMA. - Illustrates the isolation that Yerma feels in her ‘delusion’ as she cannot have a child.
The First Girl
- Leaves her baby unattended at home, which irks Yerma and illustrates her mothering and nurturing demeanour.
- Symbolises how society forces women and young girls to have children, even though they don’t want to.
Maria 1
- Linked to the Virgin Mary in the Bible (the archetypal woman that Yerma wants to be).
- Fully indoctrinated into beliefs and expectations of women.
- Cannot sympathise with Yerma as soon as she has a baby of her own and has fulfilled her role in society → illustrates Yerma’s isolation and the delusion that is associated with childless women.
The Second Girl
- Doesn’t want children and is not bound by societal expectations of women - she questions societal norms e.g. “why does my husband have to be my husband? We were doing the same when he was my boyfriend!” i.e. sex before marriage.
- Illustrates Yerma as narrow-minded, and exaggerates her dutiful nature when compared to the Second Girl.
The Female and The Male
Opposes Yerma as they discuss the process of sex and its enjoyment (Yerma just thinks about the outcome and how it will validate her in society) -> opposes Catholic chastity.
Female wearing white cotton
nightdress with bare feet = in touch
with earth. Female wears mask covering eyes.
Male carrying bull horn = phallic.
Male wears dark mask covering eyes.
Yerma 1
- Desire for Motherhood: Yerma is deeply obsessed with becoming a mother, which drives her actions and emotions throughout the play.
- Frustration and Despair: Her inability to conceive leads to intense feelings of frustration and despair, reflecting societal pressures on women.
- Symbol of Women’s Struggles: Yerma represents the struggles women face regarding societal expectations and personal desires in a patriarchal society.
- Transformation: As the play progresses, Yerma transforms from a hopeful woman to a desperate, tragic figure, highlighting the impact of her unfulfilled dreams.
Juan 1
- Stoic and Traditional: Juan embodies traditional masculinity, prioritising work and practical concerns over emotional expression, which distances him from Yerma.
- Conflict with Yerma: His inability to understand Yerma’s desire for motherhood heightens the tension in their relationship, illustrating the gender divide.
- Symbol of Social Norms: Juan represents societal expectations of men, including the pressure to maintain a certain image and fulfill roles rather than show vulnerability.
- Limited Emotional Range: His lack of emotional depth contrasts with Yerma’s passionate nature, emphasising her loneliness and desperation throughout the play.
Victor 1
• Contrast to Juan: Víctor offers a more sensitive and understanding perspective, contrasting sharply with Juan’s stoicism and emotional distance.
• Symbol of Possibility: He represents a potential alternative for Yerma, embodying the hope for connection and understanding in her life.
• Complex Relationship: Víctor’s attraction to Yerma complicates his character; he is drawn to her but also respects her marriage, creating internal conflict.
• Catalyst for Change: His presence ignites Yerma’s desires and dreams, motivating her to confront her situation, which emphasises the theme of longing within the play.
The Sister-in-Laws 1
- Conformity to Tradition: The sister-in-laws embody societal expectations for women, highlighting the importance of motherhood and domestic roles in their lives.
- Contrast to Yerma: Their acceptance of their own motherhood contrasts with Yerma’s desperation, emphasising her isolation in her struggle to conceive.
- Symbol of Community: They represent societal norms and communal values, reflecting the collective mindset that influences Yerma’s tragic journey.
- Limited Understanding: Their lack of empathy for Yerma’s emotional struggles demonstrates the narrow mindset of women in their society, leading to her growing isolation.
The Washerwomen 1
- Symbol of Community Gossip: The washerwomen represent the voice of the community, often gossiping about Yerma’s situation, which adds pressure and scrutiny to her life.
- Contrast to Yerma: Their acceptance of their roles as mothers and laborers highlights Yerma’s sense of alienation and her longing for a different life.
- Practicality vs. Emotion: They embody a practical, straightforward attitude toward life, contrasting with Yerma’s intense emotional struggles and aspirations for motherhood.
- Reflection of Societal Norms: Their discussions reveal the societal expectations placed on women, reinforcing the cultural context in which Yerma feels trapped.
Victor 2
- Old friend of Yerma’s, personification of virility, in contrast to Juan.
- Lorca suggests that Yerma longs to be with Victor, but her father chose Juan.
- Act 1 Scene 2 suggests Juan and Yerma have an intense connection.
How would you cast Victor?
- Contrast Juan, strong and a big build.
- Big mouth and smile and soft thin eyebrows.
- Well trimmed beard and hispanic colouring.
- Reflecting a Greek God that would produce great offspring.
The Sister-in-Laws 2
- Juan’s sisters who watch over
Yerma in act 2. - Brought in by Juan as a result of his paranoia of honour and his concerns of Yerma being out too much.
- When they appear they are like ghosts reflecting the absence of life in their brothers home.
How would you cast the Sister-in-Laws?
Skinny, pale, big dark brown eyes.
Like ghosts.
