# IX explained — To Cuba and Back

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

## What happens

The narrator visits the Belen (Bethlehem) Jesuit college in Havana, observing its operations, the discipline of the order, and the contrast between the Jesuits' austere personal lives and their lavish altar vestments. He reflects on the history and controversies of the Society of Jesus, and notes the Cuban taste for excessive decoration in churches.

## Themes in this chapter

### Religion and Moral Hypocrisy

The chapter contrasts the Jesuits' austere personal lives with the lavish altar vestments, and critiques the Cuban taste for excessive decoration in churches, highlighting moral and aesthetic tensions.

### Cultural Contrast Between North and South

The narrator compares Cuban religious practices and the Jesuits' methods with Northern sensibilities, noting differences in education, recreation, and decoration.

### Travel as a Lens for Social Critique

The narrator uses his visit to the Belen to observe and critique the Jesuits' system, Cuban culture, and religious practices, reflecting broader social and moral issues.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown Narrator

The narrator visits the Belen, describes the Jesuit college and its activities, and reflects on the history of the Jesuits.

### Father Antonio Cabre

A young Jesuit in charge of mathematics and astronomy, with a spare frame and intellectual countenance, who shows the narrator the laboratory and observatory.

### The Jesuits

The order of Jesuits at the Belen, described in detail regarding their dress, discipline, educational work, and the controversy surrounding their system.

### Coolies

Mentioned as a file of Coolies in Chinese costume marching under overseers, seen by the narrator on his morning walk.

### Cubans

Described as having a childish taste for excessive decoration in their altars.

### Ignatius Loyola

Founder of the Jesuits, mentioned in the historical reflection on the order.

## Key lines

> The Cubans have a childish taste for excessive decoration. Their altars look like toy shops.

Cubans prefer overly ornate and childlike decorations in their churches, making altars resemble toy stores.

_Critique of Cuban religious aesthetics._

> A strange, eventful history, is that of the Society of Jesus!

The history of the Jesuit order is full of dramatic and remarkable events.

_Introduction to the historical reflection on the Jesuits._

> The Jesuits make strong friends and strong enemies.

The Jesuits inspire both intense loyalty and fierce opposition.

_Summary of the polarized views on the order._

## Links

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