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Chapter 34
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in America Is in the Heart, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Beauty in Despair
Race and American Identity
Education vs. Ignorance
Poverty
Summary
Analysis
After months in the hospital ward, Carlos befriends another patient named John Custer, a poor, illiterate boy from Arkansas who is also suffering from tuberculosis. At John’s request, Carlos writes a letter to John’s mother, and in telling of John’s sorrows, he also tells of his own struggles and sorrows. When John leaves the hospital, Carlos urges him to “rediscover America,” and reminds him that he is still young and full of potential. Years later, Carlos tells of how he received a letter from a now-educated John, thanking Carlos for his comfort and advice.
Although Carlos spends much of his time in the hospital as a “student” of sorts, meeting John gives him the opportunity to play the role of teacher. By urging John to make the best of his life in America, Carlos imparts advice that his own brothers gave to him years before and demonstrates again how emotional connections with others can be a valuable kind of education.
Themes
When summer rolls around, Macario returns and tells Carlos that he and Nick could not get visas to go to Spain, but Felix did get there and is fighting valiantly. Carlos also learns that Nick and José have gained leadership roles in the Portland UCAPAWA chapter. Carlos yearns to rejoin the trade union movement.
News of his friends from the outside world makes Carlos yearn for the union movement that previously gave so much meaning to his life. This development shows that as valuable as education can be, it’s not truly fulfilling until one has the chance to apply its ideals in practice, as Carlos wishes he could do with the union movement.
Themes
