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The Tortilla Curtain Essay

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Racism as well as immigration, class and acceptance of minorities have been a highly discussed issue well known throughout the world. In many cases, we are able to see and identify the problems that immigrants may face while coming into the U.S, as well as those problems they face while already living here. In the novel written by T.C. Boyle, however, as readers we are introduced to a variety of different emotions and ideas as told from two completely different families living in Topanga Canyon. In the book The Tortilla Curtain, as readers we are introduced to many issues including racism, the wealth gap, and the internal conflict of pressure Delaney faces by society against immigrants. In the beginning of the story we are introduced to characters …show more content…

The symbolism behind this is the values and ideas he has against the immigrants. These racist thoughts stretch throughout the book, each idea being connected to another with the description of Delaney’s feelings towards the Mexicans. As opposed to Delaney, the author also tells the story from the point of view from three other characters being Kyra, Candido, and America. The importance of viewing the immigrants lives is that the readers are able to see the struggles that these immigrants go through as well, not only does it show their hardships but also how they suffer with the discrimination. Like in today’s world, life for immigrants is difficult and they suffer a great amount. Their intentions for coming into the United States is to get a better life for themselves and their families but many of the times, life here doesn’t seem to be as easy. Upper and middle-class families grow up in rich neighborhoods never having to worry about how they will make ends meet and how they will go on through life. The hardships that they face will never compare to those that immigrants face while coming into the U.S and once they are already here. The landscape that was constructed as the Arroyo Blanco had affected the communities of both the upper-class and the

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