The Tortilla Curtain Review
Let’s review, shall we? The Tortilla Curtain by T.C Boyle (1995) takes a narrative perspective to tell the story of two families living in Los Angeles, California. The first family of Kyra and Delaney are wealthy Americans living in their private home at Blanco estates. While the second family of Candido and Rincon are undocumented immigrants from Mexico living at Topanga Canyon. Generally, the novel explores the suffering and struggle of undocumented immigrants working or living in the United.
Sadly, throughout The Tortilla Curtain Mexican immigrants experiences discrimination and injustices from the White Americans. For example, when Delaney hits Candido while driving, he at first thinks of his car and the driving experience he possesses when he notices that he hit a Mexican. Unfortunately, instead of Delaney taking Candido to the hospital, he offers him $ 20. Due to the fear of deportation Candido willingly takes the $ 20. Certainly, this incident depicts the injustices most of the unlawful immigrants experience not only in the United States but across the globe.
On the other hand, the idea of constructing a wall as well as the gate by the Blanco community to prevent coyotes from entering into the community depicts the identity of the Americans from other communities. Note that having a gated community restricts other people from accessing the Blanco estate. More specifically, the idea can be viewed in the context of restricting the immigrants into the community. Similarly, I think that this idea relates to the determination of Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart to rebel against the missionaries accessing his community Umuofia.
Consequently, after the wall is vandalized, Delaney decides to punish Candido by having him arrested even though Candido is not the Culprit. Essentially, due to his influence in the community, Delaney misuses the power he possesses to hurt Candido. However, despite the hatred Delaney has for Candido when the floods occur, Delaney is helped by Candido from drowning. Therefore, I think that from this novel the author wants us to ask ourselves, is it lawful for the government to address the challenges facing immigrants? On the other hand, I think that the novel reveals how integration in society between different cultures occurs.
Work Cited
Boyle, Tom Coraghessan. The tortilla curtain., 1995.
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