The Pentagonía by Reinaldo Arenas
"The Pentagonía" is a collection of novels by Cuban author Reinaldo Arenas, exploring the complexities of life in Cuba from the early 1950s onward, with a particular focus on the theme of homosexuality. Through various characters, Arenas addresses the challenges of sexual oppression and societal expectations faced by homosexual individuals in a largely hostile environment. The narrative begins with "Singing from the Well," depicting the struggles of impoverished youth who grapple with their sexual identities amid a patriarchal society. The protagonist's journey continues in "The Palace of the White Skunks," where issues of masculinity and revolutionary ideals collide, revealing the discrimination faced by homosexuals even within the revolutionary movements.
As the series progresses, "Farewell to the Sea" shifts to a married man, Héctor, whose internal conflict between his sexual identity and societal role becomes evident during a vacation, highlighting the facade many are forced to maintain. Arenas’ later works, particularly "El color del verano" and "The Assault," confront the brutality of revolutionary censorship and the personal crises that arise from living a life of pretense. The novels reflect not only the personal struggles of their characters but also serve as a commentary on the wider socio-political landscape of Cuba, characterized by violence and repression. Overall, "The Pentagonía" presents a poignant examination of identity, love, and the quest for acceptance within a challenging social framework.
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Subject Terms
The Pentagonía by Reinaldo Arenas
First published:Celestino antes del alba, 1967 (Singing from the Well, 1987); El palacio de las blanquísimas mofetas, 1975 (The Palace of the White Skunks, 1990); Otra vez el mar, 1982 (Farewell to the Sea, 1986); El asalto, 1990 (The Assault, 1994); El color del verano, 1991
The Work
The Pentagonía documents life in Cuba from the early 1950’s onward. Although the novels deal with a variety of themes and with diverse characters, one subject stands out as a common denominator: homosexuality. Many characters face sexual oppression by Cuban society and must fight for their incorporation into productive social roles.
Reinaldo Arenas’ novels document the lives of various male characters from their childhood to adulthood, including their handling of their homosexuality. Singing from the Well opens the set by presenting children oppressed by poverty; these children also face the sexual dynamics of a highly chauvinistic society. The nameless characters are representative of Cuban homosexual youth and return as more mature characters in subsequent novels, which can be read as sequels.
The Palace of the White Skunks takes Arenas’ coming-of-age themes one step further by removing an unhappy young man from his restrictive society. Inspired by claims of social equality, Fortunato joins Castro’s guerrilla forces in the fight against the Cuban dictator. His dreams are shattered, however, by the strong antihomosexual attitude of men in the military forces. As a result of his being homosexual, Fortunato is labeled weak and imperfect, certainly not the model of the revolutionary man.
Farewell to the Sea abandons young characters to explore the life of a married man, who appears to be living a full life. Héctor is married and a proud father. He expresses total commitment to revolutionary ideology, for which the state has awarded him a free trip to a beach resort. There he meets a young man, with whom he has romantic encounters. When his friend is found dead in a remote area of the beach, Héctor decides to abandon his vacation. The reader comes to understand that Héctor is a homosexual man who despises the revolution, who has experienced homosexual life, but who is forced to live as a prorevolutionary heterosexual in order to survive.
Arenas wrote the last two novels while fighting AIDS-related illnesses. With El color del verano he makes his most direct attacks against revolutionary persecution of homosexuals. Characters have to lead lives of pretense in order to avoid the economic disaster that follows revelation of homosexuality. The Assault focuses on revolutionary censorship, showing how homosexuals are forced to turn against their own relatives. Physical violence abounds in Arenas’ novels, reflecting on a violent revolutionary society.
Bibliography
Soto, Francisco. Reinaldo Arenas: “The Pentagonía.” Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 1994.