Exploring Cuba: Arts and Literature of Cuba (PDF)

To truly understand a nation, one must know a bit about that nation's art. What kind or subjects do its leading novelists write about? Which themes preoccupy its major poets? Who are the most popular painters and sculptors, and what do their works depict? This book examines the major currents in Cuban art and literature, from colonial times to the present. The book also tells the stories of some of the country's most respected creative talents. These include the poet and patriot José Martí, who is beloved as "the Apostle of Cuban Independence"; the novelist Alejo Carpentier, a major figure in Latin America's 20th-century literary "boom"; the painter Amelia Peláez del Casal, a leader of Cuba's avant-garde art movement; and Rita Longa, whose iconic sculptures adorn the capital city of Havana. Each title in this series includes color photos throughout, and back matter including: an index and further reading lists for books and internet resources. Key Icons appear throughout the books in this series in an effort to encourage library readers to build knowledge, gain awareness, explore possibilities and expand their viewpoints through our content rich non-fiction books. Key Icons in this series are as follows: Words to Understand are shown at the front of each chapter with definitions. These words are set in boldfaced type in that chapter, so that readers are able to reference back to the definitions—building their vocabulary and enhancing their reading comprehension. Sidebars are highlighted graphics with content rich material within that allows readers to build knowledge and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Educational Videos are offered in chapters through the use of a QR code, that, when scanned, takes the student to an online video showing a moment in history, a speech, or an instructional video. This gives the readers additional content to supplement the text. Text-Dependent Questions are placed at the end of each chapter. They challenge the reader's comprehension of the chapter they have just read, while sending the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there. Research Projects are provided at the end of each chapter as well and provide readers with suggestions for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis. And a Series Glossary of Key Terms is included in the back matter containing terminology used throughout the series. Words found here broaden the reader's knowledge and understanding of terms used in this field.