Chapter 38 Summary

Yury Gagarin, the first human to orbit the world comes to Cuba to make an appearance. Carlos and his Grandfather Amado decide to go to the parade. Fidel will be welcoming Yury, and Grandfather Amado says he wants to see the bastard that took everything he had.

Carlos and his grandfather see Fidel. He is just a little speck. They can hear him through the loudspeakers, but what they see is just a little pinpoint. Carlos holds his grandfather's hand on their way back. It would be the last time he ever would.

Chapter 38 Analysis

The fact that Fidel is only an insignificant spot is metaphoric. Like any other human being, he is insignificant, and yet, it is this insignificant speck who has destroyed the lives of so many. That speck ultimately tears a grandson away from a grandfather.