Nicolás Guillén
What country was Nicolás Guillén born in?
Cuba
How many grandfathers are in the poem
Two: one black and one white
What does the final embrace between the grandfathers represent?
Racial unity and hope for equality
What historical reality does the poem explore?
he legacy of slavery and racial inequality in Cuba
Which literary movement was he part of?
Negrismo, a branch of Modernism
How does the black grandfather’s experience differ from the white grandfather’s?
The black grandfather faces oppression and hardship, while the white grandfather has privilege
What does the slaver’s whip symbolize?
The oppression suffered by enslaved Africans and the brutality of colonialism
How does the poem reflect Cuban identity
By highlighting the fusion of African and European heritage in Cuban culture
What influences can be seen in his poetry?
Afro-Cuban and Modernist influences
How does the poem end?
Both grandfathers embrace, symbolizing racial unity
What do the two grandfathers symbolize?
The mixed racial identity of Cubans, showing both suffering and privilege
What is the poem’s main message?
The need to acknowledge and accept both African and European roots in Cuban identity
How did Cuban history shape his work?
He lived in a time of racial discrimination and social struggles, which inspired his poetry
What is the poem’s tone?
Reflective and empowering—it starts with suffering but ends with reconciliation
What historical issue does the poem address?
The impact of slavery and racial discrimination in Cuba
How does Guillén show both injustice and hope?
He first portrays past suffering but ends with the possibility of unity and equality
Why is Nicolás Guillén considered Cuba’s national poet
Because his works reflect Cuban identity and its African and Spanish roots
What is the poem’s structure? (need everything)
7 stanzas, octosyllabic rhythm, irregular rhyme scheme, free verse
Why does Guillén use the names “Federico” and “Facundo” at the end?
To humanize the grandfathers, showing that beyond race, they share the same history and ancestry
Why is the poem relevant beyond Cuba
It addresses universal themes of racial identity, discrimination, and reconciliation in Latin America and beyond