There are two boxes of treasure in the novel—the box that contains the Perez family valuables and papers and a box that contains Elisa’s letters, engagement ring, and sentimental items from her relationship with Pablo. These boxes are important symbols of different aspects of the past in Cuba. The box that Emilio buries in his yard symbolizes the wealth and life the Perezes were forced to leave behind when they went into exile; taking their goods with them would have prevented them from escaping. The fact that they bury the goods indicates that they sincerely believe they will return to Cuba one day. Beatriz takes and subsequently loses the contents of this box, an indication that her vision of what the family should do with its material wealth is avenge the death of Alejandro by helping to kill Fidel Castro.

Elisa’s box includes almost all of the clues Marisol needs to reconstruct the relationship between Pablo and Elisa. The contents of the box, especially the letters, reveal a history that undercuts the anti-Castro, anti-revolutionary thrust of Elisa’s description of her life in Cuba. Except for the ring, most of what is in this particular box has no monetary value.