Aubrey Blackstock post two

In chapters 9-12 we read about many peoples experiences in coming to America. I think that through Carmen's experiences we found out that she is a very trusting person. In chapter nine she describes being a school aged child and hearing about how the refugees aren't faring well in Miami. This information is coming from the government. She remembers thinking that since the American ships had retreated from the battle then this must be true. She remembers trusting the government's statement. It came a great shock to her when she actually met some of the refugees while at college. The refugees were becoming prosperous while in Miami. This adds to the realism of what was actually happening in Cuba at the time, and therefore makes the story more believable. Propaganda distributed by the dictatorial government is often misleading to the people. The innocent people believe this and have a false sense of security in their own homeland. They find out the truth when they talk to others who have escaped.