Sovereign Mack
In the play Letters from Cuba by Maria Irene Fornes, the family is separated through distance and time, yet remains connected through the letters between Francisca and Luis. To keep connected, Luis and Fran communicate via letters, updating each other on their day to day lives and conveying their love doing so.
Another example of how the family maintains relationships with each other is through objects. Enrique recalls the time where Fran visited Cuba and brought with her tins of American food. Though existing in completely separate places, the tins of food bridged the gap between them. Enrique mentions their family in Cuba enjoyed the non fresh food, because “when we ate it, we thought we were in the U.S. and spoke English to each other,” (Fornes, 31). They also used the tin cans for various things like collecting rainwater, making cowbells, and planting seeds. The essence of Fran’s experience in America is woven into her family’s home through the cans.
Art and creative expression has served as a means of human connection for millenia. We are first introduced to the bond creativity sprouts at the beginning of the play with Marc and Joseph conversing about writing poems, and later when Luis and Enrique sing together. Sometimes, experiences in life cannot be properly conveyed through words. It takes something ephemeral, art, to express the way you feel within. Dance and song embody heartbreaking feelings of loss and separation, but also heartwarming emotions of love and joy. In this play, the bridge of generation and location is found within the shared love of art and creativity.
Spirituality, as expressed in the play, is less about following a specific religion than finding a means of interconnection. In conversation, Luis ponders what love is. It’s not something tangible but a sense of hope, faith, and trust that the person you love feels the same and is prospering in their life. The family, though separated, dreams of a better life for each member. Spirituality is the way dreams are actualized. While for now they are suffering from not being in close proximity with one another, they know in their hearts they are connected through something greater than themselves and the struggles they face presently.
I agree with you I think that Letters from Cuba explores family connection despite being physically separated but also explores this theme through letters, objects and art. I also like how you manage to capture the emotional depth of art and spirituality as a tool that expresses the love between these characters.
I completely agree, and even through those moments where they’re breaking reality like im hiding in her home and him dropping the letter down it just further emphasizes their spiritual connection.
I really enjoyed reading your post! I thought it was great how you incorporated the different uses of tin cans in Cuba, like collecting rainwater, making cowbells, and planting seeds. It added an interesting cultural perspective to the story. I also really appreciated the part where you mentioned that, despite the family’s separation, they still dream of a better life for each other. The way you tied in spirituality as a means of making these dreams come true was powerful. It really highlighted the emotional depth of their situation. Great job!