The play “Letters from Cuba” by Maria Irene Fornes “is based on more than 200 letters that she received over 30 years from an older brother who remained in Cuba” and we continuously see how the setting changes from New York to Cuba and how Irene did this in such a unique way. In the play, we see how the main character Fran reacts to the life that she is living in New York, her roommates, her relationship with her brother, and knowledge that we gain about her nephew and things of the sort.
As mentioned, Irene incorporates poetry and letters in the play and personally, I think she chose to do this to appeal to the emotions and feelings of the audience. We know that the letters in the play were from her brother who still lived in Cuba and missed the absence of his sister. In the beginning Fran’s brother Luis says, “In your last letter, you told me that you went to the Metropolitan Museum with a friend and I imagine I was there looking at the paintings with you. What a lovely thought. I wish I had been there with you” (pg 11). But for us as the audience, reading these letters, we get a feeling of compassion because we start to understand that Luis loves his sister and misses her. Still, at the same time he really loves Cuba and has to deal with his internal struggle of wanting to go to New York to see his family, but also still wanting to stay in Cuba. In an interview, Irene stated that she believed one of the reasons why her brother chose to remain in Cuba was because “it had something to do with attachment” and that he simply just had a strong love for Cuba and that’s why he couldn’t let it go.
Since this play doesn’t have action, the letters in a way replace the missing action. After every letter, the conversation in the play will either continue with the characters talking about the poem that was included, or the letters contained in the play will end with a transition to the next scene. With these poems and letters in the play, it kind of gives us an insight into how the other characters tend to feel about Fran (romantically or not) who doesn’t really say much within the whole play. These poems and letters give the play a melancholy vibe. Because of this, I think that on the stage it will still translate to an emotional response because the actor will most likely utilize things such as their voice, body language, or even physical movements to enhance further the emotion that Irene was trying to portray in this play.
To conclude, this unique play that includes letters and poems makes the play an emotional read for the audience and helps us closely understand the characters’ thoughts.
Work cited:
Fornes, Maria Irene. “Letters from Cuba.”
“What It Means to Be Both Cuban and American.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 27 Feb. 2000, www.nytimes.com/2000/02/27/theater/spring-theater-visions-of-america-what-it-means-to-be-both-cuban-and-american.html.
I agree with you that the letters replace the action most plays have. I also think they showed Luis’s compassion in many ways. Perhaps the letters even added something better than action. The letters provide a unique dialogue throughout the play and I found it quite beautiful.
I like how you explored the use of letters and poetry in Letters from Cuba, I did too but with the letter and paintings. Highlighting exactly why they’re so crucial to the emotional depth of the play! It’s great how you pointed out how these letters serve as both a bridge between Fran and her brother and a way for the audience to connect with their feelings of longing and attachment. Your analysis makes it clear how Irene’s creative choices deepen the audience’s emotional experience.
Hi Clarisa. I totally agree with your point that the letters are used as a tool in the play to appeal to the audience’s sense of emotion. Also, the use of these letters helps us not only get background information on Fran and Luis but also helps us to reveal his internal thoughts and emotions for his sister. I also think that since the Actors are in different settings on stage, the letters help bridge the gap in actively communicating thoughts and feelings to the other person and, as you said, replace the missing action. Furthermore, Fornes’ use of these different mediums in her play is genuinely groundbreaking and innovative.