Symbolism+of+colour

SYMBOLISM OF COLOUR SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BLACK FAN Bernarda shows her violent nature as she **‘[hurls the fan to the floor]’ (pg. 126)** and the **‘black one’ (pg.126)** shows the significance of mourning. Therefore, Bernarda wants her daughters to **‘learn to respect your [their] father’s memory’ (pg. 126)** which symbolises Bernarda’s obsession to conform to society and not show a negative appearance of the ‘family name’. SIGNIFICANCE OF GOLD ** ‘Gold in your purse’ (pg. 137) ** represents wealth in the family and relates to the hierarchy of social class. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BLACK STORM The weather represents the present state of the household as a **‘black storm cloud’ (pg. 138**) which is pathetic fallacy, it foreshadows dark deeds which commence in the play with Adela and Pepe. Additionally, it symbolises the dark, oppressive nature of Bernarda’s household. SIGNIFICANCE OF GREEN EYES The **‘boy with the green eyes’ (pg. 144)** represents nature which symbolises freedom. Therefore, the boy is free from social class and rules. The importance of gender relates to men having more freedom than women, further emphasising the imprisonment of Bernarda’s daughters. SIGNFICANCE OF THE WHITE STALLION The stallion was **‘twice as big’ (pg. 159)** which symbolises the freedom of men in the society. The stallion **‘completely filling the darkness’ pg. (159)** symbolises a bright light which could represent the light at the end of the tunnel referring to freedom for the daughters, as marriage is sense of freedom. However, it is ironic as marriage is seen as a form of imprisonment. SIGNIFICANCE OF WHITE HAIR The significance of Maria Josefa’s white hair as she states ** 'this child will have white hair, and have another child' (pg. 164) ** shows tradition of purity and innocence through the daughters of the Alba family.

(‘ //A very white inner room in BERNARDA’S house… curtains trimmed with black beads and ruffles’) (//p.119//)// White //**'inner room' (**//p119//**)**// and //**'Black beads'(**// p 119//**)**// are the two main colours within the house. These colours are stark and very contrasting. This reflects the extreme austere ways of Bernarda’s character. The very white walls, represents the purity and cleanliness that Bernarda tries to uphold within the house. We also associate white with virginity and marriage, these are the things she wants to keep locked in the house, within the thick walls. The contrasting colour of black also shows the other extreme side of Bernarda, her dark overpowering dictator side. The contrast of the white walls and the black of the mourners gives the sense of black and white photographic pictures. This use of this photographic imagery heightens the drama and tension of the mother- daughter relationship within the household
 * SIGNIFICANCE OF INTERIOR COLOURS **

(//Four white walls lightly bathed in blue//) (p.154) This change of colour signifies ans sets a change in mood and atmosphere. The walls now //**'bathed in blue' **// (p154) expresses a depressed and sad tone, foreshadowing an event in the future.