Part 1, Tree Ducks Summary

Ignacio Agüero narrates. He tells how his father came to Cuba from Spain as a young man. Reinaldo met Ignacio's mother, Soledad Varela, a local flutist, at a concert. The couple were married after a three day courtship. While both his parents were musical in nature, Ignacio was not. Ignacio's parents encouraged his passion for ornithology and nature from an early age. In the winter of 1914, his father was struck with yellow fever and jaundice. Ignacio and his mother slowly nursed him back to health. Though his physical health improved, Ignacio noted that his father was never the same again.

Part 1, Tree Ducks Analysis

This chapter continues the important theme of family. It shows the sense of responsibility that Ignacio feels in caring for his sick father. It also assists in balancing the image the reader has formed...