Hugo is Felicia’s first husband and Luz, Milagro, and Ivanito’s father. He is abusive and infects Felicia with syphilis after having lots of affairs during his travels as a merchant marine. Felicia eventually gets back at Hugo by setting him on fire, leaving him maimed and unable to work. Hugo attempts to rekindle a bond with Luz and Milagro, who are loyal to him, and with Ivanito, but they stop visiting him after they see him with a prostitute.
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Hugo Villaverde Character Timeline in Dreaming in Cuban
The timeline below shows where the character Hugo Villaverde appears in Dreaming in Cuban. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
The House on Palmas Street
Celia wonders what the twins are thinking. Their father, Hugo Villaverde, has returned a few times with gifts, once hitting Felicia, another time giving her...
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The Fire Between Them
...knows. When they dance, things make sense. When they stop, she thinks about her husband, Hugo, a merchant marine. She served him in the restaurant where she worked. When he placed...
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When Hugo returned, Felicia was seven months pregnant. They got married during the week of the Cuban...
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...in the summer of 1966. She was pregnant with Ivanito and suffering from the syphilis Hugo gave her. One afternoon, while frying plantains, Felicia experiences a sudden clarity. She lights an...
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...wears a flannel nightgown and an embroidered Chinese tunic that had been a gift from Hugo. Ivanito doesn’t remember his father, and he isn’t sure if it’s true that Hugo still...
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...leaves, Felicia locks them in the house. The girls tell Ivanito about Felicia’s attack on Hugo, warning him that he might end up crazy like Felicia. Hugo isn’t sure why, but...
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...wonders what goes through Felicia’s head while she’s locked up with him. Celia hasn’t seen Hugo since Felicia was pregnant. Once, Hugo insisted on entering the del Pinos’ house even though...
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The Meaning of Shells
Luz Villaverde (1976). Luz remembers how handsome Hugo used to be. She blames Mamá for destroying him. For nine years after the fire...
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That summer, the girls got their first postcard from Hugo, whom the girls call Papi. He told them he was living in a hotel on...
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One day, Hugo asks to see Ivanito. Luz and Milagro feel jealous, but they decide that their brother...
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...and Milagro are happy there, but Ivanito cries a lot. He feels guilty about visiting Hugo and fears that Felicia will find out, even though the siblings pricked their fingers and...
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