The Perez Home

The Perez home in Palm Beach symbolizes the place where Beatriz’s parents and sisters are holding onto the last pieces of Cuba they have left. The home represents where the Perez’s learned to be a family again after their displacement. Additionally, the home represents the family’s assimilation into American culture. The family watches the news broadcast about Kennedy’s assassination in their living room, weeping together as they feel the loss as Americans.

As they marry their Cuban heritage with American patriotism, they also quite literally marry their daughters into the American lifestyle. The house represents their assimilation into American culture, and also represents the first home the family has shared since Alejandro was killed. Coping with the trauma of his violent death, the family has circle around itself, as Beatriz’s father gets increasingly protective of his remaining daughters. Alejandro is not...