Leticia Rodriguez 

BLS 3038 – Baruch Blog 

December 03, 2024 

Letters From Cuba by Maria Irene Fornes. Option 2 

Letters from Cuba is a play in which the characters grapple with physical and emotional distance, using personal and creative methods to bridge the gaps between them. The main objective is the power to explore art, money, and spiritual longing to overcome separation and foster connection. The letters were a lifeline between Fran and her brother in Cuba, bridging their connection despite being physically separated. Their written words create a connection that carries their emotions, dreams, and fears. These are not just mundane updates; they are filled with love and longing, creating a lifeline to maintain a family bond. On a personal level, this resonates with how communication at the time can preserve relationships, even across great distances. 

The characters use creative expression through art and creativity to connect with themselves and others. Fran’s passion for dance becomes a medium through which she expresses her inner life, linking her to her brother and the cultural roots she left behind. Her brother’s poetry and shared memories become a thread that ties them together, allowing them to experience a shared space of imagination and artistry. I think of times when creative expression, whether writing music or drawing, helped me feel closer to someone far away or articulate emotions I could not convey.  

The play transcends physical boundaries by experiencing the dreamlike and the spiritual. Dreams become a place where siblings can meet, free from the constraints of their physical separation. This mirrors how spirituality and shared belief systems often create boundless and timeless connections. Spiritual practices like mediation, prayer, or even shared rituals help foster a sense of closeness with others, even when separated. 

Both Fran and her brother yearn for a sense of belonging for “home.” While this home might seem like a physical place, the play reveals that it is more a state of emotional connection and unity. This resonates personally when I think of how “home” often isn’t a location but the people I care about of the memories we share.  

The play reminds us of human connection and resilience. Through art, communication, and shared spiritual yearning, the characters demonstrate the gaps between us can bridge meaningfully. This idea feels personal because it reflects how I have experienced relationships even difficult circumstances or distance challenges connection. The effort to express and hare creatively often becomes the most powerful bridge. The sense of family is deeper than just tangible connection to know your roots but a lifeline of hope, loss, and love. 

https://blogs.baruch.cuny.edu/bls3038/wp-content/blogs.dir/10951/files/2024/11/Letters-from-Cuba.png