"The Perfect Prison: Scenic Design and the Silent Oppression of Women in The House of Bernarda Alba"
Design Arts & Humanities 2025 Graduate ExhibitionPresentation by Sara Ahmadzadeh
Exhibition Number 602
Abstract
Federico García Lorca’s The House of Bernarda Alba is a story of oppression, control, and the devastating consequences of patriarchal rule. Following the death of her abusive husband, Bernarda enforces an eight-year mourning period, confining her daughters within the rigid structure of their home. Denied their desires—not just for love, but for autonomy and control over their own bodies—the women become prisoners in a space designed to uphold honor at the cost of their freedom. As tensions rise, they turn on one another, vying for control in a system that has already denied them power. This internalized oppression—women enforcing the structures that confine them—culminates in the youngest daughter’s tragic suicide. This scenic design visually manifests the suffocating atmosphere of the play, using strict symmetry and towering architecture to create an illusion of order that masks entrapment. The arches and rigid structure resemble a prison rather than a home, reinforcing the inescapable nature of Bernarda’s rule. Symbolic elements heighten the tension, making oppression a physical, ever-present force within the space. By crafting an environment where visual perfection becomes a tool of control, the design deepens the play’s themes, immersing the audience in the women’s struggle. Through this interpretation, the set transforms into more than a backdrop—it becomes an active participant in the narrative of repression and resistance.
Importance
This scenic design critically examines gender-based oppression across historical and contemporary contexts. Rigid symmetry and architectural constraints reflect societal structures that confine women physically and psychologically. The House of Bernarda Alba remains relevant, highlighting patriarchal control and the policing of women’s bodies. The home, often seen as a refuge, becomes a site of suffering. A descending chandelier symbolizes growing psychological suffocation, while minimal scenic elements, primarily chairs, explore confinement and resilience. By blending beauty with menace, the design compels audiences to confront the tension between appearances and oppression. This project underscores set design as an active storytelling force, shaping audience perception and fostering dialogue on gender, power, and autonomy.
DEI Statement
This scenic design for The House of Bernarda Alba engages deeply with themes of gender-based oppression, a critical issue in discussions of equity and inclusion. The production highlights the intersection of gender, power, and societal expectations, shedding light on how patriarchal structures confine and endanger women. By translating these themes into the physical space of the set, the design reinforces the play’s message about systemic control and the dire consequences of silencing women’s voices. This work contributes to the ongoing conversation about gender equity in the arts and society, ensuring that the struggles of women—past and present—are both seen and felt within the theatrical experience.