Hijuelos: The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love

During class sessions we've discussed some of the more prominent (and sometimes shocking) aspects of Oscar Hijuelos's The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love: Cesar's exaggerated sexuality; Nestor's melancholy; the significance of the I Love Lucy show, which frames the story; the flashback narrative technique; the meaning of the iconic American dream; and more. But, most significantly, this is a story about the Cuban American immigrant experience. Do you think The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love is a narrative specific to Cuban immigrants, or is it applicable to all immigrants? Or to all Americans of that generation? What aspects of the story transcend the Cuban immigrant experience? Which are unique to Cuban Americans?

Try to address these questions, but also feel free to raise other questions and make comments about other aspects of the novel that you find intriguing or problematic in some way. As always, be sure to read your peers' comments and contribute to the post as part of an ongoing discussion.

Please post your comments no later than 4pm on Thursday, September 21.

Chopin: The Awakening

In chapter VIII, Madame Ratignolle says to Robert of Edna: "She is not one of us; she is not like us. She might make the unfortunate blunder of taking you seriously" (64). What does she mean by this? How is Edna different? What instances are there where Edna's marginal or outsider role affects or hinders her participation in Creole society?

Please post your response by 4pm on Thursday, September 7.