Mr. Washburn is an American diplomat who is tall and wears a bowtie. After the SIM search Anita’s family’s compound, Mr. Washburn decides to move his family in next door. While Anita is most thrilled to have a new friend in Mr. Washburn’s son Sam, it’s also one of the first clues that Mr. Washburn is involved in the resistance—he has evidently moved closer to Anita’s family to provide them protection from the repressive regime. While Mr. Washburn isn’t deeply involved in Anita’s day-to-day life, he proves himself to be a trusted ally of the family, particularly by helping Lucinda flee the country after Trujillo threatens to rape her. For as dedicated as Mr. Washburn is to the resistance, however, he can only do so much due to what the American government will allow. He’s the one to supply the guns that Papi and the other resistance members use to assassinate Trujillo, and he attends most of their meetings. Mr. Washburn mostly disappears from Anita’s narrative in the weeks preceding Trujillo’s assassination, but Anita thinks of him as a kind and trustworthy man in her life. He’s the one to travel to New York and break the news that Papi and Tío Toni were murdered.
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Mr. Washburn Character Timeline in Before We Were Free
The timeline below shows where the character Mr. Washburn appears in Before We Were Free. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter One
...holds Carla’s baby sister Fifi. Once the car stops, Anita races for Mami. She notices Mr. Washburn , the American consul. He cheerily asks if everyone is ready to go. Yo asks...
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...go to New York alone. The girls change into party dresses and head outside, where Mr. Washburn is waiting in his car. But when Yo says she doesn’t want to go, all...
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Chapter Two
Two weeks after the Garcías leave, Mr. Washburn visits. He remarks on the “little ole bugs” while looking at the Volkswagens. Then, he...
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Chapter Four
...women list the families who have left. Mrs. Washburn insists that she’s not leaving until Mr. Washburn leaves. She says that “That S.O.B.’s a dead duck if he dares lay a hand...
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...is why the U.S. now has a consulate instead of an embassy, which means that Mr. Washburn can’t help people “who want to free this country.” Anita wants to shout that they...
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Mami explains that Tío Toni has been in hiding. He’s safe with Mr. Washburn next door, but Anita needs to avoid drawing attention to him. Then, Mami swears Anita...
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Chapter Five
...hire gardeners to spruce up the property. The canasta group makes invitations and favors, while Mr. Washburn hires a band. He explains that it would have been impossible to throw a small...
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...it’s not as much of a secret, people drop by every night to see him. Mr. Washburn usually joins the group. Toni eats supper with Anita’s family and tells them all about...
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...asks about the party. He reveals that he’s not coming; it wouldn’t look good for Mr. Washburn if Toni showed up. He comments that Lucinda will be the belle of the ball,...
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Chapter Six
...if he touches Lucinda. Later, Susie and Mrs. Washburn drop by. Susie assures Lucinda that Mr. Washburn will keep her safe, while Mrs. Washburn starts to tell Mami that El Jefe has...
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...Papi gets home, Mami fills him in. He goes to talk with Tío Toni and Mr. Washburn . The phone rings all day and no one answers it, since Mami gives Lorena...
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...will keep her secret, so she gathers the sheets and slips out. Mami, Papi, and Mr. Washburn are already in the study. Anita finds Chucha outside. Chucha isn’t surprised. She studies the...
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...When Chucha and Anita are done, Anita heads back to her room. She runs into Mr. Washburn and averts her eyes—she’s sure he can tell she started her period. He says that...
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Chapter Seven
...patio, right outside Anita’s window. She listens to them speak in code. Papi, Tío Toni, Mr. Washburn , and Wimpy are almost always there. Mr. Mancini doesn’t come anymore because he can...
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...desperate. Toni insists that the Americans are playing with them, but Papi reminds Toni that Mr. Washburn saved Lucinda. The men agree that Mr. Washburn is “on his way out.” Anita figures...
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Outside, Anita hears Mr. Washburn and Wimpy arrive. They discuss how they won’t get any more picnic ingredients and Mr....
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...going to miss Sam. She and Sam are going back to Washington soon, even though Mr. Washburn is remaining longer. Mrs. Washburn asks Anita if she’s going to come visit. Anita stays...
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...things to say—but suddenly, she forgets her words and remembers she’s not safe. One morning, Mr. Washburn drives Anita, Sam, and Mundín to the Mancinis’ house for class. Traffic is bad and...
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Mr. Washburn tells the driver who rear-ended him that it’s no problem as he tries to close...
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Chapter Eight
Mr. Washburn had to leave the compound a few days ago, so Anita’s house is the only...
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Anita’s Diary
On Friday, June 9, Anita learns that Mr. Washburn is back in Washington. He’s trying to get Papi and Tío Toni on a list...
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Chapter Ten
Mami is on the phone with Mr. Washburn . She calls him twice a week for news of Papi and Tío Toni. Once...
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...gets to the door, she hears Mamita crying. Mundín opens the door and says that Mr. Washburn is here. Anita fears that Mr. Washburn is here to deport her after the grocery...
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