"Tortilla Curtain" and the American Dream

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses how Boyle's novel "Tortilla Curtain" evolves in a series of juxtapositions between two couples, one white, affluent, and jaded about the rewards of success (the Mossbachers) and the other poor, Spanish-speaking, yet filled with hope in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds (the Rincons). The paper analyzes the symbolism and irony present in the book and the focus on the American dream that turns out to be a lie. The paper comments that this work is both persuasive and sadly relevant to current immigration debates in America today.

From the Paper:

"T. Coraghessan Boyle's 1995 novel Tortilla Curtain depicts the growing embitterment of the protagonist Delaney Mossbacher with illegal immigrants and Mexicans over the course of three clearly divided sections with the Spanish names, "Arroyo Blanco", "El Tenksgeeve", and "Socorro." The novel begins with Mossbacher hitting an illegal immigrant named Candido. At first, Delaney thinks that Candido is a wild animal, a coyote. Then he realizes that Candido is a man."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Boyle, T. Coraghessan. Tortilla Curtain. New York: Penguin, 1995

More papers on "Tortilla Curtain" and the American Dream:

• Book Review # 106220 : "The Tortilla Curtain" and Illegal Immigration"
• Book Review # 122230 : "Review of "The Tortilla Curtain"
• Analytical Essay # 23795 : "Boyle's "The Tortilla Curtain"

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