When authors refer to other great works, people, and events, it’s usually not accidental. Put on your super-sleuth hat and figure out why.
Literary and Philosophical References
- Federico García Lorca, "Landscape" (in Spanish, "Fire," 44; in English, "Six Days" 243); "Por las ramas del laurel" ("Shells," 109); "Me he perdido muchas veces por el mar" ("Baskets," 156-157)
- Molière's plays ("Letters: 1942-1949," 101)
- Gustave Flaubert, Madame Bovary ("Letters: 1950-1955," 164)
Historical References
- El Líder, a nickname for Fidel Castro ("Ocean Blue," 3 and throughout work)
- The Revolution (throughout work)
- The Bay of Pigs ("Ocean Blue," 3)
- U.S. Bicentennial ("Attitude," 143)
- Jacoba Van Heemskerck ("Attitude," 139)
Pop Culture References
- Lou Reed ("Enough Attitude," 134), Take No Prisoners ("Changó," 198); "Street Hassle" ("Changó," 202)
- The Velvet Underground & Nico ("Matrix," 181)
- Iggy Pop ("Attitude," 135)
- The Ramones ("Attitude," 135)
- The Sex Pistols, "God Save the Queen" ("Matrix," 177)
- Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters ("Attitude," 134)
- Beny Moré, "Rebel Heart," "Treat Me As I Am" ("Fire," 85); "Nunca Jámas" ("Letters: 1950-1955," 165)
- Cielito Lindo ("Palmas Street," 36)
- Mujeres de Fuego (the film actually referenced is Three on a Match), ("Letters: 1942-1949)
- Wolfman Jack ("God's Will," 191)