Avellaneda uses three ideas to show Sab as an unclear character; she uses the ideas of race, heritage or background, and the garden. Avellaneda also uses the garden to symbolize Sab's unclear character. The garden is unidentified and its location is unclear just like Sab's character. The way Sab views race is very interesting. Sab's views on raceare unclear. When he was describing his mother, he said that she was an African princess and was "born in a country in where her color was not a mark of slavery"(31). In this quote, Sab knows that race does not matter in the land that his mother came from. In this quote, he views slavery as something that is not important because his mother was born "free and a princess"(31). But, Sab is an educated man and knows that in Cuba, where he lives, that race was an important issue and determined your place in society and how you were treated. Sab knew that the reason why he could not be with Carlota was for two reasons: money and race. He knew that if he were white, he woudl not have as much trouble telling Carlota his feelings for her. Sab's unclear views on race match well with his character. Again, when Sab is first introduced, he does not have any clear heritage or background. He is said to have a face "which revealed a mingling of two distonct races, an amalgam...of the features of the African and the European yet without being the perfect mulatto" (28). Once again, Sab's heritage is unclear and is a symbol as to how Sab's character is unclear.
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2 comments:
I agree with what you said completely. Just a thought though is that in the beginning of the book, I think race plays an extremely important role in Carlotta and Sab's relationship. I felt that Carlotta was obligated to be nice to Sab moreso than actually being his friend. Early in the novel it seems she just is following with how she was told to treat Sab versus actually showing true feeling. This does show itself as being false later in the novel as she obviously shows true feeling for him. On the lines of money, Sab is forced into a position where he cannot gain much wealth and where he needs to exceed what little he has. His confidence is in a theoretical ditch where physical reasons will not let him out. Luckily the book only contradicts me later as he is accepted for what he is and his lack of wealth and his color are seen through.
Responding to Chris, we as readers (and I would include Carlota and Teresa as readers in this case)are able to see beyond his social position and race because of his letter. I ask myself though, how much does his sacrifice and his letter really change the way that the rest of the society around him views him. I don't think that it changes much of anything.
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