Marin culture is exemplifies in this story in a couple different ways. One of the main ways being the mentality of the people and the youth living in this area. As a teenager in Marin I have found that racism can be found among our youth. The racism around here in the youth isn't very meaning full and isn't really intended by most of the kids around here to be rude or hurtful, yet I know if someone of another race were to hear what some kids making racist remarks about someone they would easily be offended. When reading tortilla curtain and seeing these teenagers destroy this persons camp and tagging it with a racist remark almost reminded me of the mentality around here. "The letters were crude and the words in English, but there was no mistaking the meaning: BEANERS DIE" (62). Obviously when compared to racism here I dont believe that a lot of people would go to any extremes like portrayed in the book, yet the racist idea reminded me of a mind set that lingers heavily in the youth in Marin today.
Boyle thought out the book portrays a symbol that we all know and recognize as the American dream. So far for Candido and America its whats motivating them to keep going. They both came to the U.S. like many others looking for a better life and currently they aren't exactly living the life that'd they had came for. But through out the story it is what motivates them to keep going the hope of buying a nice cozy house and being able to settle down and have food every night with a consistent flow of money. They crave this American dream that is so commonly known and they are both motivated to help each other achieve that dream. ""I want one of those houses," she said. A clean white one made out of lumber that smells like the mountains, with a gas range and a refrigerator, and maybe a little yard so you can plant a garden and make a place for the chickens. That's what you promised me, didn't you?" " (28-29). Candido promised this to America and thats the american dream that is symbolized through the story. Its a symbol that gives hope and motivation for some of the main characters to keep going. And Boyle makes sure its very prevalent in the story
This is very insightful Jack. I was really intrigued by your second CCQC. We can see that the American dream affects everyone in the book, even Delaney's family. His wife, Kyra craves for a new home just like Candido and America do. When Kyra was locking up a house she had an urge to stay, "That was all, but in a way, a growing way, a way that almost overwhelmed her, she didn't want to to leave." This shows that everyone has an urge for more. This is a pattern in our society today were everywhere is only thinking about themselves and how they can get more. The American Dream fuels this idea and fuels the characters in this book.
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