SOURCE: Decosta-Willis, Miriam. “Self and Society in the Afro-Cuban Slave Narrative.” Latin American Literary Review 16, no. 32 (July-December 1988): 6-15.

In the following essay, Decosta-Willis analyzes themes of desire for freedom and self-identity in two autobiographical narratives written by former Cuban slaves—Juan Francisco Manzano and Esteban Montejo.

As for me, from the moment that I lost my hopes, I ceased to be a faithful slave; from an humble, submissive being, I turned the most discontented of mankind: I wished to have wings to fly from the place, and to go to Havana; and from that day my only thoughts were in planning how to escape and run away.

Autobiography by Manzano

… I had the spirit of a runaway watching over me, which never left me. And I kept my plans to myself so that no one could give me away. I thought of nothing else; the idea went round...