Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish

Food serves as an important and evocative motif throughout the book. The protagonist and narrator, Marcus, first uses descriptions of food while taking care of Charlie after school. The snack of warmed-up peanut butter and honey with a handful of crackers captures both their family’s tight financial situation and the tastes and cooking skills of a 14-year-old boy. Dinner that night is chicken soup, a basic dish that is associated with comfort and warmth. Marcus provides this for his mother when she returns home late from work. During the trip to Puerto Rico, traditional agriculture, food, and communal eating take on a bigger role in the characters’ lives. Cartaya uses food and Darma and Maria’s involvement in agriculture to present Puerto Rican culture and to signify community, adventure, and tradition. Each day of the trip introduces Marcus to Puerto Rican fruits and vegetables or to a traditional dish, and detailed descriptions of ingredients, smells, and tastes are provided. On Day One, Ermenio makes “jibarito” sandwiches and tells the boys that “the original jibarito sandwich was created in Chicago by a Puerto Rican” (99). Day Two brings sweet coffee, guava pastries, and “asopao” (158), and at Darma’s farm the boys are given rambutan. Sergio explains that this “alien” fruit originally comes from Malaysia but grows very well in Puerto Rico (151).

Marcus keeps his rambutan for days, as he is wary of it until the end of the trip. His process of learning to accept this new food illustrates his initial reluctance to embrace the unknown and his growing openness that blossoms in Puerto Rico. The use of food to signify community and love is shown at Pepe’s house. The roasted pork, “pernil,” brings together the entire neighborhood for an evening of dancing, eating, and joy.