Learning Log Questions Dreaming in Cuban

Directions: In-groups, after discussion of all the questions, in your learning log, write responses to five (5) questions from each section of the novel. (15 responses total) Your responses must be substantial with evidence from the text.

Section One: “Ordinary Seductions”

1)  What is Celia doing in the opening pages? What might be the symbolic interpretation of her actions? What motifs are evident?

2)  Who does Celia see at the start of the novel? Is the image real or imagined? Explain.

3)  Why is the ocean important to Celia?

4)  Who is Jorge Del Pino? Describe his character, mental, moral, physical and social.

5)  Who is Herminia Delgado? How does her character connect to theme and characterization in the text?

6)  Who is Lourdes Puente? Describe her character, mental, moral, physical and social.

7)  Who is Felicia? Describe her character, mental, moral, physical and social.

8)  Who is Pilar? Describe her character, mental, moral, physical and social.

9)  Why does Pilar run away?

10)  Discuss the significance of Celia’s piano playing.

11)  Who is Ivanito Villaverde? Describe her character, mental, moral, physical and social.

12)  Why did Celia begin writing letters to Gustavo? Why does she continue? How do these letters add or detract from the novel’s structure? How do they reveal theme?

13)  What are some of Felicia’s most insane acts in this section? Why might she be insane?

14)  Why does Pilar paint? What do we learn about her from her painting?

15)  Retell the story of Lourdes’ attack? What does her attack do to her psychologically? Why does Cristina Garcia include such a brutal scene?

16)  Describe Celia’s childhood. How do her childhood experiences affect her adult life?

17)  Why does Celia marry Jorge? What incident causes Celia to realize her love for Jorge? Discuss the significance of this scene?

18)  “…what separates suffering from imagination.” Discuss this quotation from the text. Why does Garcia end the section this way?

Section Two: Imagining Winter

1)  Why is Felicia forced to march in the mountains? How does she react to the marching?

2)  How does Felicia feel about El Lider and the revolution? How do her feelings compare to Celia’s, Lourdes’? Why does Garcia include the sexual fantasy about El Lider?

3)  Discuss the connection between Celia and Pilar. What thematic implications does the connection reveal?

4)  Describe the twins, Luz and Milagro. How do they feel about their mother? What specific actions of Felicia engender those reactions?

5)  How does Lourdes adapt to life in NYC?

6)  What kind of music does Pilar enjoy? What does Pilar’s taste in music tell us about her character?

7)  Who is Ernesto Brito? Graciela Moreira? How do these characters connect? What themes are revealed by their connection?

8)  Who is Otto Cruz? What happens to him? How does his story connect to themes in the text?

9)  What happens when Javier returns? What do we learn about his story? Describe Javier and Jorge’s relationship?

10)  How does Pilar react to her boyfriend’s infidelity? What can you add to her character description in this section of the novel?

11)  Discuss Lourdes’ patriotism? What might Garcia be exposing with her portrait of Lourdes, “super-patriot?”

12)  Discuss Lourdes’ transformation. What themes does her transformation reveal?

13)  Discuss the concept or race in this section. It is subtle, but there. What is Garcia saying about race in Cuba?

14)  What actions precede Pilar’s decision to go to Cuba? What might this trip symbolize?

15)  Discuss the obsessions in this section? What is Garcia saying about human beings and obsession?

Section Three: “The Languages Lost”

1)  How does Celia cope with Felicia’s death?

2)  Retell the story of Pilar and Lourdes’ trip to Cuba. What insight doe Lourdes gain from the trip? What insight does Pilar gain from the trip?

3)  Describe Celia and Pilar’s connection (in person).

4)  What happens to Ivanito? Describe his connection with Pilar? Lourdes?

5)  What do you believe is Celia’s ultimate fate?

6)  Explain Celia’s last letter to Gustavo. Why does Garcia end the novel this way?