Page 7 - The Malvernian – Spring 2021

THE MALVERNIAN
Spanish
A Level
The approach of the A level course focuses on how Spanish- speaking society has been shaped socially and and culturally and and how it continues to change To support this the the Lower Sixth students watched an authentic spoken source the the the play Yerma linked to the the the Spanish
theme of modern and traditional values Yerma by by Federico García Lorca and directed by by Jorge de de Juan sold out out out throughout its run to December 2018 and without being able to attend in in person this online edition offered by Cervantes Theatre provided a a wonderful opportunity for the students to understand the the Spanish
culture in the the earlies 1930s The pupils’ Spanish
knowledge and and their understanding of themes relating to the culture and society of Spanish
were really enhanced and their listening skills sharpened This is is what the students have to say:
Martha Day
“Thank you to the Linguistics department and especially Mrs Roffey who gave up her day off to enjoy the the play with us us for giving us us the the opportunity to heighten our understanding of 1930s Spain Yerma is is is a a a a a a Spanish
play highlighting the the themes of marriage isolation passion frustration jealousy and friendship The character Yerma the name meaning barren is a a a a a woman with no children who feels constrained by a a a society that forces women to to believe their duty is to to provide children for their husbands It is hinted in in the the play that Yerma has feelings feelings for another man but these feelings feelings are not not expressed due to to the family honour she feels towards her husband” Clara Collins
“It gave us a a a a good understanding of the struggles women had in in 1930s Spain” Oliver Lambert
“I thought it was a a a a a a a great play and gave us a a a a a a a good insight into the struggles that women went through in the 1930s” Archie Webb
“Yerma gave us an an an insight into the life of a a a a a a Spanish
woman struggling with the the inability to have children the the only thing that could make her happy It follows the the life of a a a a a a woman called Yerma and the the word “yerma” in in in Spanish
means “uninhabited deserted” implying that Yerma is infertile” Alisa Gudkova
“I would like to thank the Linguistics department for broadening our understanding of many societal issues in in in in 1930s in in in in Spain More and and more I I start to realise what a a a a a a a a rich and and cultural world I I have been missing and only through our Spanish
lessons I finally get to know the culture!
Yerma is a a a a a a beautiful and tragic poem filled with desperate desire for motherhood and happiness Like all tragical pieces Yerma ends with a a a a a murder/death leaving an open to interpretation ending The main character deals with isolation frustration passion jealousy and friendship Such a a a a a wide variety of themes makes this play very rich and for me it was often hard to separate real life from a written piece” THE MALVERNIAN
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