Maria Irene Fornes’ Letters from Cuba is a unique play that uses letters and poetry instead of more traditional actions to tell its story. This choice helps the audience connect more deeply with the characters and what they’re feeling by giving us a window into their private thoughts and feelings. The letters bring a sense of intimacy to the audience, showing us how the brother in Cuba and his sister in New York stay emotionally connected despite being separated by distance.

One reason Fornes uses letters is that they feel very personal and real. Through them, we get to see the characters’ unfiltered emotions and thoughts. The letters let us feel the weight of their longing for each other. For instance in scene 4, the brother writes, “When I get to New York, we’ll talk all night long till the sun comes out. I keep postponing making the decision to go.” This line shows how much he misses his sister and how time seems to drag and fly by at the same time. The letters help the audience feel the characters’ experiences in a way that regular dialogue might not.

Since the play doesn’t have a lot of traditional action, the letters become the main way the story is told. Instead of focusing on events, the letters focus on the characters’ emotions, relationships, and reflections. They show us how the brother and sister are coping with their separation and give the play a sense of emotional depth. The poetry adds another layer by expressing feelings that might be too hard to say in a straightforward way. Together, the letters and poetry give us a fuller picture of who the characters are. An example of this is also seen in scene 4, where it says, “Luis reads a letter in Cuba. FRAN seems to hear his voice and gazes at him through the stage left window. After a few lines of the letter she exits through the bedroom door.” This moment shows how the letters allow the siblings to bridge the distance between them, creating a connection that feels almost tangible. The poetry adds another layer by expressing feelings that might be too hard to say in a straightforward way.

 Overall, the letters and poetry in Letters from Cuba make the play feel more personal and emotional. They show the characters’ inner worlds and their love for each other across the distance. Even though there isn’t much action, the play draws the audience in through the power of words and emotions, making it a beautiful and unique experience.