Literary analysis of the Tortilla curtain - Essay Example

The tortilla curtain represents the thin line between the living conditions of immigrants and the local residents. The tortilla idea is borrowed from the scene occurring after the accident involving Cándido and Delaney vehicle. The story involves two couples; Cándido and wife America, and Delaney and Kyra Mossbacher. The lives of the two couples are intertwined in a planned plot to develop the differences in the whole plot ( 68). The American dream is depicted in irony by the life of Candida and America with the narration developing the story with insight.

Candido and America are of Mexican descent and are illegal immigrants in the US. There is a false belief of America as a land of milk and honey, but the life of Candido shows that the reverse is true. Boyle combines the two lifestyles by switching between the two families between the Rincon’s and Mossbacher's thus creating comparisons and contrast of the situation. The lifestyle of Candido and America is presented in a different perspective by the use of symbolisms such as the comparison of their lives of the coyote and the dog.

Delaney is fascinated with the lives lived by the two couples and believes that by becoming part of nature in order to survive. In times of crisis, the couple reflects on past life to obtain solace (79). Flashbacks in the story present the difference in lifestyle lived by the two individuals making the whole situation easier to handle. The reflection of their lives in Mexico is an approach used to handle current issues through trying to ignore or forget the issues at hand. For instance, after the accident, the badly hurt Candido uses his memory to overcome the pain resulting from injuries sustained.

The life of Candido is a reflection of mental seclusion in order to avoid problems. The retreating to the mental walls and flashback on the past life and the beauty of the organization is a strategy for survival. The success of flashback use in the story highlights the power to ignore the problem and live a life that is comparable to animals. The story uses the symbolism to depict attitude and the perception of the American society against the immigrants. The use of symbolism is revealed in the illustration using the coyote jumping over fences and hedges to take the pet dog.

The pet dog represents the jobs existing in America while the coyote represents the immigrants and their aggressiveness towards the job opportunities. After accruing wealth, the Mexican travels back with the earnings making the economy of their home country better while spoiling the American economy. Consequently, the coyote is used to symbolize the effect of immigrants in taking the position and wealth of the country. The argument of Kyra on immigrants emphasizes the nature and attitude of the people in relation to the immigrants.

The major areas of focus of the discussion between Jardine and Kyra are immigration issues. The gift of turkey leads to a fire outbreak that destroys the suburbs affecting the lives of Kyra and Delaney. The success of the story of Candido is based on the literary presentation of the story by use of symbolism and flash back. The status of immigrants from Mexico is presented in the story by direct illustration and symbolism leading to the success of the whole story. Boyle employs the repetitive description and the contrasting of the two couples, in the story, to depict the status of immigrants, and how they are treated in relation to the problems of shelter and job opportunities.

The social security of immigrants is crucial because it is not addressed in the situation. The raping of Candido’s wife illustrates the failure to protect immigrants’ rights making them susceptible to abuse and misuse ( 234).