Question
1. According to the author, why did Fidel Castro insulate Cuba from the outside world and America in particular? What effect did this have on the author? Explain using evidence from the text. 2. What were some of the most noticeable differences between the Cuban and American landscapes? Cite textual evidence in your response. 3. What does the author mean when he writes, "This was the real world"? Explain citing evidence from the text.
Answer
4.7
(295 Votes)
Ernest
Elite · Tutor for 8 years
Answer
1. Fidel Castro insulated Cuba from the outside world, particularly America, to protect the revolution and its ideals from perceived threats of imperialism and capitalist influence. This isolation had a profound impact on the author, as it led to a sense of disconnection and curiosity about the outside world. Evidence from the text includes the author's description of the strict censorship, limited access to information, and ideological indoctrination enforced by the Cuban government under Castro's rule.2. Some noticeable differences between the Cuban and American landscapes included the absence of billboards and advertisements in Cuba compared to the commercialized American landscape. Additionally, the author observes a lack of fast-food chains and consumerist culture in Cuba, contrasting with the abundance of such elements in the United States. Textual evidence supports this, such as the author's depiction of the stark contrast in urban landscapes between Havana and American cities like Miami.3. When the author writes, "This was the real world," he means that the experiences and challenges faced in Cuba under Castro's regime were the true reflection of life, devoid of the distractions and luxuries prevalent in the Western world. The author implies that the struggle for survival, political oppression, and ideological indoctrination in Cuba represented the harsh reality for its citizens. Evidence from the text supports this interpretation through the author's descriptions of daily life in Cuba, including shortages, censorship, and the omnipresence of government control.