Contributions of Waiting for Snow in Havana Confessions of a Cuban Boy to Spanish-Speaking Countries Essay Example

Contributions of Waiting for Snow in Havana: Confessions of a Cuban Boy to Spanish-Speaking Countries Essay Name: Course: Lecturer: Date: We will write a custom essay sample on Contributions of Waiting for Snow in Havana: Confessions of a Cuban Boy to Spanish-Speaking Countries specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Contributions of Waiting for Snow in Havana: Confessions of a Cuban Boy to Spanish-Speaking Countries specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Contributions of Waiting for Snow in Havana: Confessions of a Cuban Boy to Spanish-Speaking Countries specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Contributions of Waiting for Snow in Havana: Confessions of a Cuban Boy to Spanish-Speaking Countries There are several Spanish-speaking countries around the world, the notable ones being Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Spain. Other countries in South America, Central America and the Dominican Republic also speak Spanish. The high number of countries speaking the Spanish language makes their cultures increasingly diverse. All countries have distinct cultures, which help in defining them, and which help them establish their identity. Despite this, the people exhibit certain characteristics showing the influence of the Spanish culture. These characteristics make the people similar in certain aspects despite their differences. It makes them distinct as a people. Other than the Spanish language that is spoken by most people in these countries, the people also portray other elements of the Spanish culture. These features include religion, family, gender roles, and community life. In his book â€Å"Waiting for Snow in Havana: Confessions of a Cuban Boy†, Carlos Eire shows some of the se elements, noting the influence they have on people. The Spanish, colonized many Latin American countries, and this influenced the cultures in those countries. They found different indigenous people having distinct cultures, but their dominance in these cultures led to an end or a decline in these original cultures. The Spaniards influenced the people by introducing their language, religion and parts of their culture. The Spaniards were practicing Catholics, and once they invaded a territory, they made sure that they converted the people to this religion. To this day most of the people in Latin American countries identify themselves with the catholic faith. The Spaniards also introduced slaves to the regions. Most of these slaves were Africans, traded with other countries or taken directly from Africa. Even after the countries gained independence, most of these slaves remained in the regions. Most of them worked as domestic helps in big households. Erie describes this in the book, noting that their female servants were black. Waiting for Snow in Havana: Confessions of a Cuban Boy, details the account of a young boy who was taken from his homeland and brought to a foreign land. The book is based in Cuba, the young boy’s home and America, which was the final destination. In the book, the author writes of how he had to leave his family and come to America, in the hope that he would have a better life. It recounts some of the struggles that the young boy had, and the memories of home, which helped him survive, and live in the foreign land. He remembers his family life, all the people that he and his family had interacted with, and the political situation in his country. The cultures of the people in Spanish speaking countries show great respect for their families. They emphasize the importance of keeping families intact. Family obligations are placed above any individual pursuits. Many of the people in these countries encourage the concept of two parent families. Extended families are not treated as strangers, as people try to maintain close bonds with each other. From an early age, children are taught about commitment and responsibilities to family relationships. They maintain this attitude as they mature to adulthood. Factors such as poverty and unemployment affect the relationships between families. Eire describes his life as a young boy growing up in Havana. He recounts his memories of childhood and has vivid memories of his parents. He remembers his father’s dreams and fantasies. He especially remembers how his father thought that he had been King Louis XVI of France in his past life. He refers to his father as Louis XVI throughout the b ook, rather than using his actual names. He also remembers his mother’s warnings, teachings, and instructions. Members of the extended family including aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and godparents are valued, and they are considered part of the immediate family. Eire’s aunt, his father’s sister lived with them. She had the choice of living alone, seeing that she was not married, but she chose to live with her brother’s family. This is despite the fact that she never interacted with the family closely. The idea of family relationships and kinship bound her to live with them after her mother and maiden aunt died (Eire 3). Erie tells of his neighbor Chachi who lived with her grandmother, although her parents were lived at the same place. He says that this was common among people. It was common for children to live with their grandparents even when their parents were there and were capable of taking care of them. Communities are essential in Spanish speaking countries. They resemble a large extension of the families. The people often find ways of engaging in communal activities, be it play among the children, or other social occasions. Erie describes his playtime when he was young, and he remembers how they would play with the children in the neighborhood. There were many social occasions, where the adults congregated and interacted with each other. Weddings were common, and parents took their children with them. Religion is necessary, and it influences people’s lives in different ways. Most of the Spanish speaking countries are Christians, and they adopted the Roman Catholic religion, a practice they have maintained to this day. As a young boy, Erie remembers his mother telling him to dream of the angels. They had a painting of Jesus in their living room, and there are crucifixes on their classroom walls. Erie feels that the decision he makes can determine his final destiny. He notes how using swear words was a way of risking spending an eternity in hell. There are many mentions of God in the book, whether the author is speaking of the merciful God, or whether he is talking of the God who penetrates people’s conscience, making them realize their sins and provoking the people towards repentance (Erie 22-23). The author retells the people’s sentiments concerning Cuba being a paradise, and how many of the people believed that it had been the Garden of Eden. He also compares his trip to America with the betrayal Jesus received when he was crucified. Although the people are practicing Christians, they also show signs of belief in other religions and traditions. This is seen in the way Eire’s father believes in the concept of the after life, something that is present in eastern religions. Eire also mentions the fear of curses, meaning that the people believed in witches. He mentions the voodoo sorcerers, who practiced their trade at night. They would often find evidence of this work in their compound when they woke up. The factor that binds and unites the people in Spanish speaking countries is Spanish. Although there are indigenous languages in these countries, and people have adopted the English language, many of the people continue to speak the Spanish language. There are slight variations of the language, based on the region, but the basic concepts remain the same. Erie uses many Spanish words in the book. He describes people’s characteristics, places, people’s nicknames and situations using Spanish. He uses the Spanish language when he wants to communicate something that he cannot be able to in the English language. For instance, he describes the curse words that Aulet’s mynah bird used to scream. The swear words are filthy, and Erie cannot translate them in the English language. Speaking the Spanish language is a way of enhancing people’s identity. The Spanish language also enables people to enhance their culture by transmitting their traditions and customs (Bloomq uist and Schnell 345). Despite the world becoming more global and adopting the English language as the universal language, the people have been able to continue using their language. This is because Spanish is primarily spoken at home. Most of the young, modern and urban youths speak English, especially with their friends, but they speak Spanish once they are at home. Art in different forms such as music, dance, painting, and literature is crucial to the people. The people enjoy engaging in music and dance as a form of expression, and as a way to have fun. The dance and music sessions are also a way for people to bond. The people take the opportunity to dance in weddings and birthday parties. They write and create different forms of literature, which not only serves as a way of self-expression, but also as a way for people to preserve their culture. They expressed their creativity in different forms of art including costumes and cake decorations. Many Spanish-speaking countries have defined gender roles. Although men and women respect each other, they each recognize the roles they have to play within the family setting. Women primarily stay at home and take care of their families. They are responsible for ensuring the welfare of their children. The men provide for their families, and they ensure that they are safe. Erie describes the division of gender roles clearly. He observes that the women were responsible for staying with their children during birthday parties, and that the men were not involved in such rituals. Just because the men are not involved in some family rituals, does not mean that they do not participate in family matters. Erie describes how his father drove them to the birthday party even though he would not stay. He also describes how his father took the children ‘car surfing’ during the weekends. The men have an important role to play as fathers, and they take their responsibility seriously. Th e men value their aggressive authority or machismo in the home. They expect to be recognized as the ones holding all the authority around the home. The women are submissive towards the men, and they accept lower authority (Bloomquist and Schnell 345). Boys learn from an early age that they are not equal to girls, and they learn of their superiority. Erie describes one of his friends as unlucky, because he had sisters instead of brothers. He says, â€Å"Eugenio Godoy, who was unlucky enough to have sisters instead of brothers† (Erie 36). Erie’s book is a form of autobiography of his life. He spent his early childhood in Cuba before being taken to America. It is clear that he never abandoned his Spanish heritage despite being in a different country. His use of the Spanish language benefits him, since it enables him to express himself in a distinct way. The use of Spanish is a form of identity, and no one can doubt his origin. He is a deeply religious person, something that began when he was a child. His religious side is depicted through his constant references of God, and through his actions. He fails to do some things and to say some words for he fears the eternal consequences of doing so. It is clear that he still distinguishes between gender roles, as is seen from his machismo attitude. He notes how different people appreciated different forms of art. This book has helped to enhance the different cultures in Spanish speaking countries. Works Cited: Bloomquist, L. Michael and Steven V. Schnell. Helping Children with Aggression and Conduct Problems: Best Practices for Intervention. New York, NY: Guilford Press, 2002. Print Braun L. Kathryn, James H. Pietsch, and Patricia L. Blanchette. Cultural Issues in End-of-Life Decision Making. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE, 1999. Print Eire, Carlos. Waiting for Snow in Havana: Confessions of a Cuban Boy. Simon and Schuster, 2004. Print

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