Tortilla curtain essay

The structure used by Boyle allows a close comparison of two completely different lifestyles. It places side-by-side the reactions of people from completely different walks of life, resulting in a unique analysis of the relationship between the two groups of people.

The Tortilla Curtain is a work that confronts the controversial issue of illegal immigration by illustrating two families which are the Mossbachers, a wealthy couple living in a gated community, and the Rincons, illegal immigrants that camp in a ravine near the Mossbacher’s home.

Analyzing the Americans' perceptions and relationships to the coyote provides another perspective on the relationships between these people and the immigrants in their community. José Navidad's character is accepted by neither Americans nor Mexicans in the course of the story.

It can be argued that José Navidad may have turned into the shady, evil man that he is in the novel due because of how he was treated in the past. América sees the hurt and pain in his eyes when she first meets him at the labor exchange, it is very clear throughout the course of the story that he is persecuted by people of both races.