Democracy

Cleeton repeatedly explores the theme of independence both in the context of the novel’s characters and plots, but also in the larger historical context of the novel, itself. When We Left Cuba unfolds in the 1960’s—Fidel Castro has just overthrown the Cuban government and imposed an authoritarian regime that the Perez family was forced to flee. Through a series of communist laws that he passes once coming to power, like the Agrarian Reform Law, Castro strips Cuban citizens of their independence. “He’s abolished elections” (213). He then restricts travel outside the country, again limiting the mobility and autonomy of Cubans.

While the Perez family watches the 1960 election and sits witness to America’s democratic system, Cuba lives in terror, unable to hold elections because they’ve been abolished by Castro. Transfers of power in Cuba are violent and traumatic. As the family watches the...