Aubrey holds a Ph.D. in English. In this essay, he considers Agüeros story in relation to the concept of machismo.

Puerto Rican culture, whether on the island or in migrant Puerto Rican communities in the continental United States, is often associated with the concept of machismo. Machismo is a set of beliefs and attitudes that emphasize male dominance, control, and aggressiveness. It is often viewed in a negative fashion by outsiders. The values of machismo underlie Agüeros' "Dominoes"; the author presents the concept mostly in a negative light, with the exception of one passage, which might permit a more positive interpretation.

What is machismo? The term is used to refer to a concept of masculinity found not only in Puerto Rican culture but also in other Latino societies, as well as a range of Hispanic groups in the United States. Some elements...