In The Four Voyages, Columbus claims that language fails to describe the wonders of the New World; nevertheless, he goes on to describe its wonders.

In Happy Days, Uncle Sergio, Lidia questions where she fits in with her family and on a larger scale with her culture and country--hers are questions of identity.  She expresses herself through a letter to her uncle

For Caribbean and Latino authors, writing expresses the forbidden and it perhaps reveals too much
In Julia Alvarez's In the Time of the Butterflies, Mate writes about her growth as an individual in her journal; it is a vehicle for reflection.
But writing can also create an unwanted readership; narrators convey a fear of censorship or punishment.

In Alvarez, Trujillo rewrites the history texts--elevates his place in the nation, to be on par with Jesus.

In Of Love and Other Demons, Garcia Marquez lends credibility to the story and its characters with the author's note.  This kind of device sets the stage for the magical realism that follows.
DeLaura recites de la Vega's verses to ease his pain, to express his desire
The Acta is a written document used to justify the exorcism of Sierva Maria