Fidel Castro and Che Guevara, The Men and the Myths

Che Guevara and Fidel Castro are among the twentieth century’s most iconic figures, thanks to their roles in the Cuban Revolution and in anti-imperialist struggles across the globe. They are also among the most divisive, eliciting passionate disapproval among some and strong admiration among others. In this seminar, we will read Guevara and Castro’s speeches and writings alongside literary, visual and cinematic representations of them, paying particular attention to the ways in which their lives and deaths have generated distinct interpretations, in Cuba and beyond. Open only to first-year students.