The House of Bernarda Alba Study Guide

As a church bell tolls, Poncia and a Servant clean the house in preparation for Bernarda's return from a funeral. Their conversation reveals that the funeral is for Bernarda's husband, and that they think Bernarda is tyrannical and demanding, and that her mother is locked up in another room, insane. Poncia also talks about how hard her thirty years of service have been and about Bernarda's five daughters, Angustias by her first wealthy husband and four by the husband that just died. As she inspects the glassware, Poncia finds a glass that still has spots on it. The Servant says that she's scrubbed and scrubbed, but the specks won't come off. Poncia realizes that the bells are tolling to announce the last prayer. She goes to a window to listen and talks about how wonderful a singer the previous Sacristan was. She then goes out. (read more)