# IV explained — To Cuba and Back

> Chapter companion for To Cuba and Back by Richard Henry Dana Jr..

## What happens

The narrator describes the arrival in Havana at sunrise, the bustling harbor, the process of health and customs inspections, and the first impressions of the city's narrow streets, volantes, architecture, and social life.

## Themes in this chapter

### Colonial Oppression and Despotism

The Spanish flag, military presence, and strict entry procedures illustrate colonial control.

### Cultural Contrast Between North and South

The narrator contrasts Havana's narrow streets, volantes, and customs with his New York experience.

### Travel as a Lens for Social Critique

The narrator's detailed observations of Havana's people, vehicles, and architecture serve as a critique of Spanish colonial society.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown Narrator

The narrator arrives in Havana, observes the harbor, undergoes customs, and drives through the city.

### Capt. Bullock

Capt. Bullock handles the health officer and reports all well before landing.

### Mr. Rodgers

Mentioned as someone the narrator misses shaking hands with before leaving the ship.

### The Cahawba

The steamer on which the narrator traveled; a fellow passenger from it accompanies the narrator in the volante.

### Le Grand

Le Grand's hotel is the destination where the volante stops.

### Christopher Columbus

Mentioned in connection with the chapel marking the first mass celebrated on the island under his auspices.

## Key lines

> We are to go in at sunrise, and few, if any, are the passengers that are not on deck at the first glow of dawn.

Almost all passengers are on deck at dawn as we prepare to enter the harbor.

_Describes the anticipation of arriving in Havana._

> The streets are so narrow and the houses built so close upon them, that they seem to be rather spaces between the walls of houses than highways for travel.

The streets are extremely narrow, more like gaps between walls than proper roads.

_Highlights the cramped urban layout of Havana._

> What strange vehicles these volantes are!—A pair of very long, limber shafts, at one end of which is a pair of huge wheels, and at the other end a horse with his tail braided and brought forward and tied to the saddle...

Volantes are unusual carriages with long flexible shafts, large wheels, and a horse whose tail is braided and tied forward.

_Describes the distinctive local carriage._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/to_cuba_and_back_se/chapters/iv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/to_cuba_and_back_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/to_cuba_and_back_se/chapters