Chapter 17 Summary

Carlos is afraid to eat dark things because he things it will turn him into a black person. Even as a child, he sees that in Cuba, black people have to do all the real work and that their lives are inferior in quality. The thought of turning black is more frightening to him than even the nightmares caused by his father's collectible candlestick of a female figure.

It is, indeed, not black food that will usurp the privileges of a white boy. It is the 45-minute plane trip that will turn him into a "Hispanic." Upon landing in America, he will be the one who does all the dirty work; he will be the one with the inferior lifestyle, and he will be the one who has nothing.

Chapter 17 Analysis

The theme of identity is dealt with in this chapter. The fears...