Before Night Falls Essay
Before Night Falls
In the novel, Before Night Falls by Reinaldo Arenas who lived from 1943 to 1990, the author conveys many subjects and captures the reader to the full extent. Reinaldo Arenas, the author and the person who lived the experience writes this book for us in hopes of capturing our feelings and sympathy of the Cuban Revolution. Arenas wrote over twenty books, including ten novels and numerous short stories and poems. Arenas was not the only writer affected though as he states that, “All the literature of this century is somewhat burdened by the theme of uprootedness,” (Arenas, 36) which means every piece of literature surrounded the system of being exiled or the fear of being caught or doing wrong and being thrown out to vanish. He was also strong towards his views of being homosexual, his sexual encounters with animals, his rebellious nature, and his artistic ability in writing. All of which were despised by the Cuban government of Fidel Castro. Arenas describes himself as an, “intellectual” (Arenas, throughout the whole book) ; someone who (rebelled) and described their actions and emotions through scripts, writing, etc. unlike someone who is physical in that manner. Reinaldo Arenas explained, “I write because I want to say something from the depths of myself by using the anger, hate, and love in order to express myself personally (Arenas 91).” Arenas writes this book through his imaginations and pastimes in Cuba as if it were his diaries. He analyzes his secrecy with artistic writing and sex. Reinaldo Arenas says, My sexual activity was all with animals. First there were the hens, then the goats and the sows, and after I had grown up some more, the mares (Arenas 149).” This shows the indifference towards women and the rest of the societies interests. In other words, Reinaldo was a homosexual and hid through his fear of the totalitarian government by taking his pain out with the animals. This book represents Reinaldo’s search for
In the novel, Before Night Falls by Reinaldo Arenas who lived from 1943 to 1990, the author conveys many subjects and captures the reader to the full extent. Reinaldo Arenas, the author and the person who lived the experience writes this book for us in hopes of capturing our feelings and sympathy of the Cuban Revolution. Arenas wrote over twenty books, including ten novels and numerous short stories and poems. Arenas was not the only writer affected though as he states that, “All the literature of this century is somewhat burdened by the theme of uprootedness,” (Arenas, 36) which means every piece of literature surrounded the system of being exiled or the fear of being caught or doing wrong and being thrown out to vanish. He was also strong towards his views of being homosexual, his sexual encounters with animals, his rebellious nature, and his artistic ability in writing. All of which were despised by the Cuban government of Fidel Castro. Arenas describes himself as an, “intellectual” (Arenas, throughout the whole book) ; someone who (rebelled) and described their actions and emotions through scripts, writing, etc. unlike someone who is physical in that manner. Reinaldo Arenas explained, “I write because I want to say something from the depths of myself by using the anger, hate, and love in order to express myself personally (Arenas 91).” Arenas writes this book through his imaginations and pastimes in Cuba as if it were his diaries. He analyzes his secrecy with artistic writing and sex. Reinaldo Arenas says, My sexual activity was all with animals. First there were the hens, then the goats and the sows, and after I had grown up some more, the mares (Arenas 149).” This shows the indifference towards women and the rest of the societies interests. In other words, Reinaldo was a homosexual and hid through his fear of the totalitarian government by taking his pain out with the animals. This book represents Reinaldo’s search for