Critical analysis of dreaming in Cuban and the Latin Deli – Term Paper

The works of Cristina Garcia and Judith Ortiz are symbolic and of greater importance to society. They both broaden perspectives by deepening the b breadth of understanding of the plights of women and other challenges they undergo as a result of undesirable occurrences within the country. While Cristina Garcia’s novel moves miles covering the life of three generations mainly of a single family between Cuba and the United States, Judith Ortiz, uses the power of poetry to communicate the success, tragedy and experiences of the Latinos in the El building. The major aspects of commonality between the two stories relate to the themes addressed and the fact that they all rotate and linked to Latin feminism.  The point of feminism, in this case, refers to the ideologies, movements and common principles held by the women. The central areas of focus have been those related to politics, economic and social rights. Both authors, therefore, tries to view the common goal that has been defining the achievements of women over time as they strive to come out of the challenges. In the writings, the major themes of concern include the following: Relationships among family, matters of exile, the divisiveness of politics giving equal opportunities to both men and women, home, communication and language, the memory of the past and finally community. Throughout the writings, culture perspectives unfold giving links to the matters of time and the themes in focus.

The story by Cristina Garcia begins with Cecilia, a young and beautiful woman living in Havana, the city of Cuba, happens to fall in love with a Spanish man named Gustavo leading them into marriage. The Story has sweeter beginning decorating the life of a young lady before being married and have children.  On the other hand, Judith’s narration introduces us to the world of authority. A place presided by someone, implying that the concerned person is the one in charge. The two writings begin with matters of control in the lives of women. Cecilia in one hand enters the circle of marriage that has its rules on the contrary the Latinos are introduced to a territory being presided over.   Just from the introduction, Judith’s description brings another notion of being at a favorable grounds. The manner in which she communicates denotes a Catholic church, mentioning, “Plastic mother and child magnetized” believed to be a portrait of Mary and Jesus, also, stalks that hang like a votive offering, this simile is symbolic to the offering given in churches. For this reason, the satisfaction that Cecilia of the Dreaming in Cuban saw in marriage initially is the same comfort portrayed by the church in this aspect.

About the text, the major theme that apparently features pertains family relationship supported by the link that existed from the first generation of Cecilia to the third generation of Pilar according to Cristina Garcia. In the works of Judith, the relationship is portrayed in the beginning by the symbol of a plastic mother magnetized with her child. It clearly, shows the bond that exists between the mother and the children also to the family at large. The symbol depicts that those in exile have siblings to whom they might not have their whereabouts or might be far way. This context is inclusive of ideology that Cecilia stood for and supported despite rejection that she received as a result of her position. It is very clear that women are always for the good of the family bond, but they are never given a chance. When Lourdes was, for example, she was against it for reasons best known to her. Her position as a woman was purely based on past experiences. She confirmed it ones again that maturity is not based on age but experience. Relating this to the story of the Latin Deli, in the 7th to 9th lines, it is so clear that the patron of the exile was a woman. The factor of care that women have is what made her be there for a long time and hence the tag” a woman of no age” implying that she has been there for a very long time helping people without leaving the place. In addition to this, the fact that she has been selling memories describes the level of care she has. Selling memory is symbolic to her having knowledge of the homes where the inhabitants are from and therefore reminding them. She acts as an archives or store of information linking people to their homes.

Another aspect emanated as a theme is that of communication and language. In the Novel, Cecilia is separated from her children for a much extended period because of the instability in politics, Marriage, and issues of exile. This factor hindered communication and therefore widening the bond between families. On the other side, Communication is portrayed in the poem as the central theme. In addition to a similar aspect, the exiled woman in addition to taking care and selling foodstuffs to the inhabitants also listens to the Puerto Rican airing their grievances concerning the coffee she sells. She listens to the natives hoping to go to Havana, also to the Mexicans fantasizing about the money made in the North, which is the United States.

To supplement and emphasize on the above analysis, are matters about Cultural diversity, it manifests itself in various ways especially in stanza two of Judith’s poem, the Latin deli. She narrates that, how the store keeper smile understanding as they walk down the paths between stores, is beyond the actual view in the sense that; the store is fixed with products containing the variety of foodstuffs from various culture. When one sees specific home foods, they connect it to their culture. The store to a greater extent acts as a bed of culture to the inhabitants. On the side of Cristina Garcia, culture is not reflected much though it is important to note that Cecilia was married to a Spanish and she had to follow their culture. Her daughters and son Javier married from different communities, capturing the aspect of diversity.

The themes and symbols highlighted in the entire text are of significance and the greater connection to the issue of Latin feminism. From the beginning of the novel, the theme that depicted itself apparently pertained to family bond and communication. Contact element reigned through because the main factor that did inhibit the family relationship was tied to communication. In the Latin deli, many people from varied culture inhabited a common place and therefore communication was not effective. On the other side, Cecilia the mother of the two daughters Lourdes and Felicia together with his son Javier failed to communicate with her children for quite some time. Despite the barrier, feminism occurred in the sense that efforts were made to ensure that their interests are secured. The Latinos still managed to interact with their refined foods and valuables within the store. The hope of returning home and being with their loved ones did not fade despite the challenge. Cecilia too did not tire as a mother to make an effort to reach her children despite the weak bond that existed. In the end, Lourdes who was distance with her came and took care of her. Latin feminism is all about the power of women, not losing hope while focusing on a given objective.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Cuban dream and the Latin Deli are centered on the themes of family relationship, division in politics, communication and language, exile, home, etc. The core of them all was matters pertaining family relationship and communication, issues about language. Many households in the texts have undergone twists in ideologies, attitude, and even emotions as a result of the geographical gap separating them, lack of proper communication, diversity in culture and politics. Politics played a bigger role as its instability led to revolution leading to the exile of other families like Punto’s, based on the Cuban dream and even those of the Latinos in the poem. Daughters tend to fall on the side of their fathers as sons shifted towards their mother. At another level, it is observed that there is a bigger connection between first and third generation as portrayed by the relationship between Cecilia and Pilar in particular in the Cuban dream in fulfillment of the theme family relationships.