To Cuba and Back
What is To Cuba and Back about?
To Cuba and Back (1859) is Richard Henry Dana Jr.’s travel account of a brief visit to Cuba during the late slavery era. Dana describes Havana’s architecture, society, and daily life with a lawyer’s eye for detail, while confronting the realities of Cuban slavery. Written just before the Civil War, the book offers a Northern abolitionist’s perspective on a slave society in the Caribbean. Though less famous than Two Years Before the Mast, it provides valuable firsthand observation of pre-revolutionary Cuba.
Main themes in To Cuba and Back
Cuba travel
Cuba travel emerges as a defining element in To Cuba and Back, shaping character development.
Slavery
To Cuba and Back thoughtfully explores slavery through its central conflicts.
Pre-revolution Cuba
To Cuba and Back thoughtfully explores pre-revolution cuba through its central conflicts.
Havana
In To Cuba and Back, havana provides a lens for understanding the story's core message.
Why To Cuba and Back is still relevant today
To Cuba and Back offers a rare American eyewitness account of Cuba during the slavery era, providing valuable historical perspective.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is To Cuba and Back about?
Dana’s travel account of visiting Cuba during the slavery era, describing Havana’s society while confronting the realities of Cuban slavery.
Is it like Two Years Before the Mast?
It is shorter and more of a travel sketch than an adventure narrative, but shows Dana’s same gift for observation.
Is it historically valuable?
Yes, it provides a rare Northern abolitionist’s eyewitness account of Cuba’s slave society.
Can I read it free?
Yes, the complete text is available free on TextStack.