Portrayal+of+Men+(presence+and+absence)

=Portrayal of Men (presence and absence)=

The readers never meet the men in this play, However we do hear about the men and their actions through the gossip and conversations that go on in the household. This makes the reader form a biased image of men. By making the men absent in this play Lorca is able to inform the reader of how the men in the society at that time were without the reader ever meeting a single man. Even though the men are absent in this play they still seem to have a huge influence on the actions of the women, e.g. Bernarda wants her daughter to mourn the death of their father for an extended period of time and also the rivalry between the sisters (Martirio, Angustias and Adela) over one man (Pepe). This serves to further emphasise Lorca's message that the society in which these women live is repressive and men are more dominant.
 * INTRODUCTION**


 * SEXUAL NATURE OF MEN**
 * Pg 122 – men were seen as sexual beings that cheated on their wives **“Never again will you lift up my skirts behind the back corral”** here the maid says that she and Antonio had a secret relationship. This shows that women were mis-treated by men but still they weren't able to raise their voice against the violence. She is disadvantaged by her gender and her economic status.
 * pg 130 - ...**'men cover up for each other, on this kind of thing, and no ones dares to make accusations'** this shows that Martirio is aware how men behave, and how biased the society was towards men. It also shows her frustration about the male dominated society.
 * They are portrayed as being insincere and conniving **pg 141 “half naked with the light burning the second time Pepe came to talk with your sister”** Here we see that Adela is having an affair with Pepe even though we know that he has just proposed to Angustias.

> Prudencia is refering to her husband and how he enter the house, this shows that men were stereotyped as being powerful and strong. Bernarda thinks that it is attractive that Prudencia's husband displays primal behaviour and is more dominant in the relationship. MISINTERPRETATION OF THIS QUOTATION. READ CAREFULLY
 * POSITION OF MEN**
 * Men were the head of the house hold and they were to be served, Bernarda says “Give some to the men” pg 123 but doesn’t say serve the women.
 * It was the man’s duty to propose to the women **“when a man approaches a window grating, he already knows... that the answer will be yes”** pg 138 WHAT DOES THIS QUOTATION SUGGEST ABOUT THE POWER DYNAMICS BETWEEN MALES AND FEMALES This quotation suggests that men are the ones who make the decisions and women were supposed to be patient and wait for that decision. The power dynamics are shifted towards the males in the society.
 * Prudencia: **'He puts up a ladder and climbs over the wall and the corral'** Here a sarcastic tone used by Bernarda
 * Angustias is talking to Bernarda about her concern for the relationship she has with Pepe. She quotes Pepe as saying **'we men have our worries'** which shows that the way a man feels is kept private and they do not discuss their feelings with anyone.
 * **'You shouldn't ask him'** (p.158) WHO SAYS THIS? WHEN? WHY IS IT SIGNIFICANT?
 * **'He will be master of the house' (p.167).** WHO SAYS THESE WORDS? CONTEXT? HOW DOES IT CREATE SITUATIONAL IRONY?
 * **'They are forgiven everything'** (p.144) WHO SAYS THESE WORDS? CONTEXT?
 * **'A man leaves the bed... tavern' (p.139)** WHO SAYS THESE WORDS? CONTEXT?


 * ANIMAL IMAGERY**
 * Page 128-129: The way the men treat the women as if they were animals. "Last night they tied her husband in a stall, threw her over the back of a horse, and carried her off to the top of the olive grove.
 * page. 131. **"All they care about is land, oxen and a meek little dog to cook for them."** The wife is described as a dog who is supposed to be loyal and follow commands. This quotation also shows that Martirio believes that all men are materialistic. Martirio has a cynical outlook on men as she believes her love (Humanas) had rejected her.
 * Prudencia "struggling like a man" this is in reference to the horse struggling in the corral and parrallels the behaviour of men in the society. INCLUDE THE FULL QUOTATION TO MAKE SENSE