Context

Question 1

Lorca’s symbolism in Yerma

Answer 1

Lorca often used symbolism to represent religion, captivity, and infertility. This was due to his leftist views that he liked to promote through his plays - which ultimately got him arrested by Francisco Franco’s soldiers.

Question 2

Role of women in Andalusian society.

Answer 2

Women were expected to marry to husbands under the christian church and conceive children. Due to their lack of status, many women’s only job was to have a child as heir to the family. They generally did not have a say in their life’s and were submissive to their husband.

Question 3

Attitudes towards witchcraft

Answer 3

Witchcraft was seen as demonic and therefore against god and the church. People who did not practice christianity (like the pagan woman) would be accused of witchcraft and outcasted from society (or even worse, killed). People in 1930’s Spain would’ve been particularly scared about superstitions and therefore taken their role in society very seriously to avoid the punishment of the catholic church.

Question 4

Poetic style

Answer 4

Poetic drama is where the characters speak in verse - it has some poetic elements to it such as moving characters and elevated language.

Question 5

Andalucían music

Answer 5

There would’ve been traditional
styles such as flamenco music (originating from Andalusia) and classical guitar. Music would be played live.

Question 6

Significance of the rural location

Answer 6

Often in rural locations, the pressures of religion were much greater and the smaller village meant that gossip would’ve spread quickly.

Question 7

Andalusia

Answer 7

The Spanish republic was in charge of the government at the time with the dictator Francisco Franco, and Spain was developing into a fascist country. Typically countryside farm workers would’ve been very poor and had one room where food is cooked in a pot over the fire and much of spain was suffering from a famine which was why the farming jobs were essential to the economy.