La Carreta

[2] The story follows a family of "jíbaros", or rural peasants, who in an effort to find better opportunities end up moving to the United States (see Puerto Rican migration to New York).

The first act begins with the family preparing to move from the countryside to San Juan, capital of Puerto Rico, in search of a "better life".

The second act takes place a year later in San Juan, specifically in La Perla slum, where the family has moved.

Don Chago, the grandfather, refuses to move, and unbeknownst to the family, intends to live out his days in the solitude of a cave.

In reality, Luis is the son of his father and another woman, but is accepted totally by Doña Gabriela, who cautiously guards this “secret” from him, not realizing that he indeed knows.

Luis’ strong determination to secure a better life for his family in a mechanized world can be seen almost as an overcompensation for the gratitude he feels as an undeserving stepchild who enjoys the rights and privileges of a blood-relative.

Doña Gabriela is distraught with grief and accepts Luis’ suggestion of yet another move—this time to New York City as a solution to their problems.