Conflict In Dreaming In Cuban

In Cristina Garcia’s Dreaming in Cuban, the author frequently uses conflicting desires, ambitions, obligations, and influences as a way of tearing the mind of a character into two, and causing them continuous struggle throughout the novel. As well, these conflicting forces often illuminate the meaning of the work as a whole, by revealing the theme of the novel through the characters’ resolution of their conflict. In particular, Pilar is often the victim of conflicting forces which cause her to struggle throughout much of the novel. The conflicting forces of a desire to reconnect with her Cuban grandmother and her mother’s harsh anti-Cuban influence illuminate the overall theme that once cannot be quick to pass judgment. Pilar’s connection

This is seen when Pilar is describing her observations of Cuba and states, “The food is another story, though, it’s greasy as hell” (485). While this may seem like a subtle and trivial critique, it is the first one mentioned by Pilar and serves as an acknowledgment of Cuba’s imperfection. Another acknowledgment of Cuba’s flaws shortly follows when Pilar states, “I ask Abuela if I can paint whatever I want in Cuba and she says yes, as long as I don’t attack the state” (486). While there is no discernible critique present, it becomes obvious that Pilar is unhappy with her lack of artistic freedom. For a girl with a history of rebellious behavior such as creating punk art and running away from home, a lack of freedom to create what she wants is a hindrance to Pilar’s art and life, as she never fails to break societal norms. Pilar’s opinion of Cuba becomes more outright, as she states “I have to admit it’s much tougher here than I expected, but at least everyone seems to have the bare necessities” (486), and “I know now it’s where I belong—not instead of here, but more than here” (488). This admittance of Cuba’s imperfection and acceptance of her home in Brooklyn shows how once cannot be quick to pass judgment. Through her many conflicting opinions with her mother, Pilar often thought of Cuba as a utopia and was reluctant to believe its flaws pointed out by her mother. Instead, upon actually visiting Cuba for herself, Pilar finds that it is not an ideal society and that she fits in much better in the US. This theme was brought to light due to Pilar’s mental conflict, as her lack of actual experiences in Cuba as well as her desire to rebel against her mother’s views led her to a false idealistic view. As